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In this special milestone episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we celebrate 100 episodes of breakthroughs, bold predictions, and game-changing conversations. Join us as we take a look back at the defining moments that shaped the show—from the birth of Tech Notes to our deep dives into AI, space tech, energy solutions, and the shifting landscape of innovation. We revisit the most impactful discussions with visionary founders, industry leaders, and cutting-edge researchers, reflecting on how their insights continue to shape the future. Whether you’ve been with us since episode one or are just tuning in, this is the perfect moment to relive the breakthroughs that still have us talking—and to look ahead at what’s next.
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Sam Herrick - Producer Mike Collins - Host Shail Highbloom - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch explore three major shifts shaping the future of technology. First, they discuss the rise of "OpenAI Mafia" startups, as top AI talent breaks away to launch competing ventures, driving innovation beyond the tech giants. Next, they examine the evolution of e-commerce, where interactive, social-driven shopping platforms like Whatnot are thriving while major players struggle to adapt. Finally, they dive into AI-driven online safety, highlighting Google’s new age estimation tools designed to protect younger users on digital platforms. Tune in for a deep dive into how these breakthroughs are redefining the tech landscape.
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Mike Collins - Host Lucas Pasch - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Meera Oak speaks with Lizzie Matusov, co-founder and CEO of Quotient, about transforming developer productivity. Lizzie shares how Quotient leverages the SPACE framework to identify and resolve inefficiencies in engineering workflows, helping teams eliminate friction and collaborate more effectively. With her extensive experience at Red Hat and Invitae, Lizzie offers unique insights into creating smarter, more efficient engineering practices. This conversation highlights the future of developer efficiency and the tools shaping the next generation of software teams.
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Meera Oak - Guest Lizzie Matusov - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch explore three transformative advancements shaping the future. First, they break down the AI arms race, where tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are pouring tens of billions into AI infrastructure, fueling competition and raising questions about market concentration and innovation. Next, they examine the unbundling of social media, with platforms like BlueSky gaining traction by offering decentralized, user-controlled experiences that challenge Big Tech’s dominance. Finally, they dive into a groundbreaking cancer vaccine trial from Dana-Farber, where personalized immunotherapy has delivered astonishing results—zero recurrences in advanced kidney cancer patients after three years. These breakthroughs are redefining industries and opening new possibilities for technology, medicine, and digital interaction. Tune in for a forward-looking discussion on where these shifts are headed next!
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Mike Collins - Host Lucas Pasch - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we explore the rapidly growing challenge of telemetry data overload and the innovative solution from Sawmills, a startup redefining how companies manage observability. Host Wesley Yiu sits down with Ronit Belson, co-founder and CEO of Sawmills, to discuss why skyrocketing data costs are becoming unsustainable for engineering teams and how Sawmills' AI-powered smart telemetry platform is helping organizations cut waste, improve data quality, and take control of their observability pipelines. Ronit shares the journey behind launching Sawmills, the growing category of telemetry management, and how AI is shaping the future of the space. If you're in DevOps, engineering, or simply fascinated by the next wave of data innovation, this episode is a must-listen!
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Wesley Yiu - Guest Ronit Belson - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we explore three game-changing advancements shaping the future. First, we examine how DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, has built a ChatGPT rival for just $6 million, igniting conversations about the cost of innovation and global AI competition. Next, we take to the skies with Boom Supersonic, which has successfully tested its Mach 1.1 jet, marking a major step toward the return of commercial supersonic travel. Finally, we dive into synthetic biology, where scientists have engineered the first fully synthetic yeast genome—paving the way for breakthroughs in medicine, sustainable fuel, and food security. Join hosts Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch as they break down these pivotal innovations and what they mean for the future.
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Mike Collins - Host Lucas Pasch - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Naren Ramaswamy explore three groundbreaking innovations redefining AI and science. First, they discuss new AI models pushing boundaries in simulation, weather forecasting, and world-building—transforming industries from gaming to meteorology. Then, they analyze Amazon’s massive $8 billion investment in Anthropic, positioning AWS as a major force in the AI race. Finally, they dive into a stunning discovery: AI helping decode humpback whale communication, a breakthrough with implications for both marine biology and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Join Mike and Naren for an exciting deep dive into the future of AI-driven innovation.
Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech Optimist
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Mike Collins - Host Naren Ramaswamy - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Wesley Yiu sits down with Ali Hussain, co-founder and CEO of Tabs, to explore how AI is transforming B2B accounts receivable. With trillions of dollars in overdue invoices clogging financial pipelines, Tabs is tackling this challenge head-on with AI-powered automation that helps companies collect payments faster, streamline cash flow, and optimize revenue operations. Ali shares insights from his journey scaling Latch from seed to IPO, the importance of simplicity in fundraising, and why AI-native finance tools are the future. Join Wesley and Ali for a deep dive into the intersection of AI, finance, and business efficiency.
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Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer Ali Hussain - Guest Wesley Yiu - Guest
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch tackle three major developments shaping the AI landscape. First, Chinese AI startup DeepSeek stuns the industry by building a model rivaling OpenAI’s best on a fraction of the budget—raising questions of innovation versus imitation. Then, the U.S. government makes its biggest AI bet yet with Project Stargate, a $500 billion initiative designed to supercharge AI infrastructure and global competitiveness. Finally, OpenAI unveils Operator, the first AI assistant that doesn’t just respond—it takes action, signaling a future where AI handles real-world tasks autonomously. Join Mike and Lucas as they break down what these breakthroughs mean for the future of AI and competition on a global scale.
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Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer Mike Collins - Host Lucas Pasch - Guest
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In this Blue Flame Thinkers episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Drew Wandzilak sits down with award-winning journalist and author Ernest Scheyder to explore the high-stakes global battle for critical minerals. As the world races to secure resources like lithium and copper to power the clean energy transition, Ernest unpacks the geopolitical, environmental, and economic challenges shaping the future of energy and technology. They discuss his book, The War Below, and dive into the tough questions around supply chains, resource extraction, and the trade-offs we must navigate in the push for energy security. Join Drew and Ernest for a thought-provoking conversation on the forces driving the next era of innovation.
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Drew Wandzilak - Guest Ernest Scheyder - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Ray Wu sits down with Todd Ruoff, CEO of Autonomys Labs, to explore how the company is revolutionizing AI and blockchain. Autonomys is building a decentralized AI ecosystem designed to democratize access to AI 3.0, with a cutting-edge, storage-first architecture that enhances scalability, security, and accessibility. With nearly 600 petabytes of pledged storage and over 2,000 nodes, Autonomys is redefining how developers, investors, and enterprises engage with AI and blockchain. Tune in as Ray and Todd break down the future of permissionless AI and the innovations shaping the next generation of decentralized infrastructure.
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Ray Wu - Guest Todd Ruoff - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Lucas Pasch explore three groundbreaking innovations shaping the future. First, OpenAI’s new Tasks feature signals a major leap toward AI agents, streamlining workflows and redefining automation. Next, they examine wildfire prevention, where AI-powered cameras, firefighting robots, and public-private partnerships are transforming how we predict and combat devastating blazes. Finally, they discuss cutting-edge advancements in neuroscience, from regenerative medicine to lab-grown brain cells, offering new hope for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The future is unfolding fast—join Mike and Lucas as they break it all down.
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Mike Collins - Host Lucas Pasch - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Mike Collins and guest Lucas Pasch kick off 2025 with a dynamic exploration of transformative tech trends. They discuss AI's explosive growth, from OpenAI's groundbreaking updates to NVIDIA's vision for physical AI, heralding a new era where robots think, adapt, and act. The conversation shifts to the implications of the recent net neutrality repeal, examining how it might reshape internet access and innovation. Finally, they highlight how advancements in drones and autonomous vehicles—like Amazon’s delivery program and Waymo’s self-driving taxis—are revolutionizing logistics and mobility. Get ready for an inspiring ride through the future of technology!
Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundAV Foundation FundTech Optimist
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Mike Collins - Host Lucas Pasch - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Lucas Pasch sits down with Chad Gerstensang, co-founder and CEO of UNIXi, to explore how the company is redefining cybersecurity. Chad explains how UNIXi’s integration-free technology delivers universal single sign-on (SSO) to protect enterprises against social engineering attacks like phishing and credential theft. By addressing critical gaps in identity and access management solutions, UNIXi empowers businesses to secure every application seamlessly. Tune in to learn how UNIXi is shaping the future of cybersecurity and gaining traction in industries like healthcare and finance.
Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech OptimistUNIXi
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Chad Gerstensang - Guest Lucas Pasch - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, we spotlight Quai Network, a trailblazer in blockchain scalability and decentralization. Co-founder Alan Orwick joins host Ray Wu to share how Quai's innovative approach, including their groundbreaking proof-of-entropy consensus mechanism and three-by-three hierarchical chain structure, achieves an astounding 50,000 transactions per second. Backed by $15 million in funding, Quai Network is addressing blockchain's "trilemma"—scalability, security, and decentralization—while introducing an energy-based stablecoin that reimagines digital currency. Dive into this exciting conversation with Ray and Alan about the future of blockchain and how Quai is leading the charge to unlock the technology's full potential.
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Ray Wu - Guest Alan Orwick - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins, CEO and Founder of Alumni Ventures, sits down with Andy Hamilton, CEO and Co-Founder of When, a Chicago-based startup transforming the often-overlooked process of employee offboarding. When helps employers turn transitions into strategic advantages by providing seamless solutions for health insurance alternatives, 401k rollovers, career resources, and more. Andy shares how personal experiences inspired the company’s mission to ensure last impressions are as impactful as first ones, while addressing critical trends in workforce turnover and the evolving needs of modern employees. Join Mike and Andy as they discuss When's innovative approach to building a better offboarding experience and the value of treating every employee transition with care and purpose.
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Mike Collins - Host Andy Hamilton - Guest Shail Highbloom - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, host Mike Collins, Founder and CEO of Alumni Ventures, is joined by Senior Principal Naren Ramaswamy to explore three transformative advancements in artificial intelligence. The conversation covers the debate over AI scaling approaches, the revolutionary impact of AlphaFold 3 in molecular biology and drug discovery, and the rapid development of AI agents that promise to redefine productivity and trust. This episode offers an inspiring look at how these innovations are shaping the future of science, technology, and human collaboration.
Alumni Ventures (AV)AV LinkedInAV Deep Tech FundTech Optimist
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Mike Collins - Host Naren Ramaswamy - Guest Sam Herrick - Producer Shail Highbloom - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Laura Rippy, Managing Partner at Alumni Ventures, interviews Andreas Mjelde, CEO and Co-Founder of Two, a groundbreaking FinTech platform transforming B2B commerce. Two offers instant trade credit with fraud detection and streamlined payment processing, enabling businesses to operate more efficiently and scale globally. Andreas shares insights on Two’s innovative solutions, including its success in industries like food service and automotive, and its vision of building a network that revolutionizes net terms payments. Discover how Two is simplifying B2B transactions and driving the future of business payments.
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In this Meet the Startup episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Ryan Musto sits down with Paul Lwin, CEO and co-founder of HavocAI, to explore how the company is revolutionizing maritime operations with its autonomous Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs). Paul shares his inspiring journey from Myanmar refugee to Naval Academy graduate and tech leader, while showcasing HavocAI’s innovative platform that enables a single operator to control thousands of USVs. They discuss the company’s role in the Department of Defense’s Replicator Initiative, partnerships with leading industry players, and its mission to deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions for defense and commercial applications. Discover how HavocAI is charting the future of maritime autonomy and redefining innovation at the intersection of technology, defense, and resilience—this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
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Paul Lwin - Guest Ryan Musto - Host Shail Highbloom - Producer Keith Murphy - Producer David Carey - Producer Jeannie Masters - Producer Sam Herrick - Producer
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In this Three Breakthroughs episode of the Alumni Ventures Tech Optimist Podcast, Mike Collins and Naren Ramaswamy spotlight three groundbreaking innovations reshaping our world. First, they unpack how AI is revolutionizing careers, urging listeners to embrace tools and skills critical for thriving in a rapidly evolving job market. Next, they examine the transformative potential of GLP-1 drugs in tackling obesity and diabetes, discussing their profound impact on public health and the wellness industry. Finally, they analyze how technology is rewriting the playbook for elections, with podcasts becoming pivotal platforms for political engagement and strategy. Don’t miss this forward-thinking discussion on the trends defining tomorrow!
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