Founder Shares
Episodes
Founding Vision: Mike Halpert on VR Training and Entrepreneurial Resilience
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Host Trevor Schmidt chats with Hutchison law partner and former D1 athlete Anna Tharrington and Mike Halpert, CEO of Ver Coaching, about Mike's journe...
The People Problem Solvers: HR, Compliance, and Firing Fast with Chelsey Warren & Ashley Pittman
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of the Founder Shares podcast, host Trevor Schmidt is joined by Chelsey Warren, Founder and Principal of Spark People Advisory, and em...
LIVE @ Grepbeat’s Startups to Watch
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special edition of the Founder Shares podcast, we go on location to the 2025 Grepbeat Startups to Watch event. Host Trevor Schmidt speaks with...
How AI and a Global Pandemic led to a $175M Investment: Ardis Kadiu's Element451 Story
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Founder Shares podcast, host Trevor Schmidt sits down with Ardis Kadiu, founder and CEO of Element451. Ardis shares his journey...
The Authenticity Advantage: How Runbin Dong's Scale Social AI Helps Small Businesses Shine
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Founder Shares podcast, host Trevor Schmidt sits down with Runbin Dong, founder and CEO of Scale Social AI. Runbin shares his u...
The Future of Supply Chains: Chris Andrassy on Using AI to Predict & Prevent Disruptions
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if AI could turn supply chain disruptions into a competitive advantage? On this episode of Founder Shares, Chris Andrassy, co-founder and CEO of ...
Inside a $175M Deal: Tim McLoughlin & Joshua Hayes Live From RDU Startup Week
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does it take to guide a company from early investment to a major private equity transaction?In this special Founder Shares live episode, recorded...
How Happiness Drives Business Success: Leadership Lessons from Grace Ueng
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the key to success isn’t just hard work, but true happiness? On this episode of Founder Shares, Grace Ueng, founder and CEO of Savvy Growth,...
Building a Business at the Intersection of Neurodata and Innovation With Rob Cooley
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the key to advancing brain health and neuroscience lies in harnessing neurodata in ways never thought possible? On today’s episode of Founde...
Creating Impact Through Innovation: Brandon Kashani on Leading Mission-Driven Startups
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you turn a passion for problem-solving into a thriving business that benefits millions? In this episode of Founder Shares, Brandon Kashani, fou...
Bridging the Gap: How CivicReach is Revolutionizing Government Customer Service
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if AI could transform your frustrating interactions with local government into seamless, efficient experiences? In this episode of Founder Shares...
Driving Towards Greater Transparency and Sustainability in the EV Market with Davide Giacobbe and ScoutIt
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Could the future of electric vehicle adoption hinge on our ability to accurately assess the health of EV batteries? On today’s episode of Founder Sh...
From Innovation to Commercialization: Turning Research Into Tangible Outcomes With John Bamforth
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how scientific research can be translated into tangible products and services that benefit patients, clients, or customers? Or ...
Seeing into the Future: Moving Beyond AI to Visual Intelligence with Oculi CEO Charbel Rizk
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if the key to unlocking true autonomy and advancing artificial intelligence lies in the development of more efficient and intelligent visual sens...
The Power of Genuine Networking for Entrepreneurs With OneSixOne Ventures
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How integral are networking and community-building to becoming a successful entrepreneur? Pablo Casilimas and Justis Mendez of OneSixOne Ventures join...
Embracing Change & Community: The Keys To Startup Success With Chris Heivly
28 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How can a founder transition from a successful entrepreneur, to empowering other entrepreneurs by becoming a key figure in building startup communitie...
The Best Advice for Founders, from Founders (Compilation)
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
At the end of every Founder Shares episode, host Trevor Schmidt poses the question, “If there's one piece of advice that you would share with somebo...
The Legal Implications of Artificial Intelligence: Data Privacy, Intellectual Property and Contracting Considerations
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered about the myriad of ways your personal data can be utilized by artificial intelligence? What important legal considerations sho...
The Force is Strong with this One – Success and Paying it Forward with Co-Founder of ChannelAdvisor and Spiffy Scot Wingo
29 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs navigate through challenges and achieve groundbreaking success? In our latest podcast episode, we dig into ...
Hunting Outsized Returns with Jason Caplain of Bull City Venture Partners
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what it takes to navigate the labyrinth of venture capital and emerge as a true industry luminary? Join host Trevor as he takes...
From Academia to the Marketplace: the ins and outs of University Spinout licenses with Dan O’Korn
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered how startups in the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors navigate the maze of university licensing agreements? Join us as we sit down with...
Staying on Track and Giving Back with Bill Spruill
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what it takes to navigate the dynamic landscape of technology ecosystems? How about fostering a workplace revolution or leaving an indel...
Spaces of Success: Unveiling the Coworking Chronicles with Alison, Carl, and Tim
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hey, fellow dreamers and doers, welcome to Founder Shares! Today's rooftop rendezvous at the American Underground has us pondering a crucial question:...
A View From the Starting Line – A Conversation with Teenpreneur Tierney Schmidt
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today's Founders Shares podcast episode presents a unique perspective that I'm sure will resonate with many of you. We typically delve into the storie...
Turning Radiation Oncology Challenges into Solutions: Kurt Sysock Radformation
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the world of radiation oncology, precision is paramount. Every millimeter matters when it comes to treating cancer patients with radiation therapy....
The Startup That's Rethinking Home Care: What Sets CareYaya Apart?
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today we welcome our guest Neal Shah, who is the CEO at CareYaya Health Technologies Inc.Are you frustrated with the challenges of finding reliable an...
Inside the UK Legal Startup Scene, with Henry Humphreys
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what the UK startup scene looks like compared to the US? Today we welcome Henry Humphreys, the managing partner of Humphreys Law, a Lond...
From an Artistic Eye to AI, Building Bristles into a Buzzworthy Company with Tina Tang
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tina Tang has made a lot of noise recently in the Triangle (Raleigh / Durham NC) startup community, having secured funding from well-known local inves...
How Echo is Transforming Lives through Entrepreneurship, with Geraud Staton
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As a poor kid, Geraud Staton became an entrepreneur out of necessity, initially selling Blow Pops to the rich kids at school. He's hustled and he's se...
Data Privacy: What Founders Need to Know to Avoid Disaster, with Lucas Beal
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the startup world, you're moving 100 miles an hour at all times, and data privacy rules aren't exactly high on the daily to-do list. But what happe...
Entrepreneurship For All: Training the Next Generation of Founders, with NC State's Haley Huie
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At NC State's Entrepreneurship Clinic through the Poole College of Management, Haley Huie helps train the next generation of founders by both teaching...
Chemistry, Conniption, and Constellation: The Durham Distillery Founding Story
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Melissa Katrincic is the President and CEO of Durham Distillery, home of Conniption Gin and Corpse Reviver Cocktail Bar and Lounge. She’s the first ...
Like a phoenix from the ashes: The rise of The Women’s Social Club
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hannah Weisberg is the founder and CEO of The Women’s Social Club, a women supporting women platform and community that has expanded from 1 locati...
From Rocket Scientist to EdTech Startup Founder, with STEMedia's Dr. Nehemiah Mabry
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As a structural engineer and PhD student at NC State University, Nehemiah Mabry was asked to put together a video for the Stay With It Campaign, which...
Disrupting Systemic Economic Injustice in the Startup Ecosystem, with Resilient Ventures' Tom Droege and Keith Daniel
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Keith Daniel and Tom Droege saw a problem in the startup and investment community - Black founders are not on equal ground when trying to build a busi...
Top Employment Law Considerations for Startups, with Ashley K Pittman
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
At Hutchison PLLC, we specialize in working with startups, so we completely understand that when you’re trying to build a business from nothing, leg...
Joe Colopy: From no paycheck for 3 years to a $200M exit
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest Joe Colopy is the co-founder at Jurassic Capital and the Godfather of Grepbeat, which covers all things tech in North Carolina. But befo...
From accidental entrepreneur to a $2.5M raise, with Cycle Labs' Josh Owen
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Josh Owen never looked at himself as an entrepreneur. He formed his first company Tryon Solutions to do some consulting work, and before he knew it, ...
The one reason startups fail, with VentureSouth's Charlie Banks
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the managing director of VentureSouth, Charlie Banks has invested over $60 million in over 90 companies. Some of them have been amazing success sto...
Building Equity: The Entrepreneurship of Venture Capitalists, with Leeds Illuminate's Susan Cates
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
For entrepreneurs, seeking funding from a venture capital firm can seem intimidating. But, it's important to remember that those investors are entrepr...
The Exit: Everything You Need to Know but Didn’t Know to Ask about Startup Acquisitions
18 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today we’re diving deep into what most startups dream about and are striving for - the exit. Hutchison PLLC partner and mergers & acquisitions e...
From career inertia to Momentum in tech, with Jessica Mitsch Homes
20 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Jessica Mitsch Homes has always been focused on teaching and helping others, but she had no clue that that passion would lead her into a career in tec...
Why Culture, Leadership, and DEI Matter in Startups, with Donald Thompson
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How can leaders foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture - even when their business is first starting out? When every dollar and every min...
When Two is Better Than One: Murphy’s Naturals and The Loading Dock story with Philip Freeman
23 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After decades of writing business ideas down, Philip Freeman decided to start Murphy's Naturals so he could solve a simple problem: his wife kept gett...
How to protect your startup Intellectual Property (IP), with Trevor Schmidt
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Trevor Schmidt is guesting today to talk all about intellectual property - the different kinds of IP, mistakes he sees startups making, and the IP ste...
How great leaders amplify the power of teams, with Tom Finegan
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Back in 1991, Tom Finegan was working for a consulting firm that was doing very well - except he felt like the firm cared more about the bottom line t...
No Fear: Lessons from Lebanon to Life Sciences with Dr. Moise Khayrallah
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Moise Khayrallah grew up in Lebanon, and saw firsthand what real danger looks like as bombs exploded nearby during the Lebanese Civil War. Upon coming...
The Rare Air of Elevation Oncology: Raising Nearly $200M in 2 Years, with CEO Shawn Leland
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Elevation Oncology has raised nearly $200M since its launch just two years ago. $200 million! That sounds like an enormous amount of investment capita...
The Legal Side of Raising Money: Startup Funding Questions Answered, with Anna Tharrington
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As a startup founder, raising money can feel like an enormous mountain to climb. Many go through dozens or hundreds of pitches before they find the in...
Managing Apartment Turnover: From launch to $10M Series A, with Rent Ready's Jonathan Kite
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Entrepreneurs are always looking for the next big idea, something that doesn't exist yet. The next Facebook. The next Uber. The next Netflix. But ...
Startup CEO who coded his way out: Rainway’s Andrew Sampson
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rainway CEO Andrew Sampson doesn't have a conventional path. He's been underestimated throughout his life, has experienced overt racism, been told no ...
A Feathr Touch: Navigating Customer, Employee and Investor Relations with Aleksander Levental
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Aleksander Levental jokes that the first Board Meeting he ever led was the first Board Meeting he ever went to. Before co-founding Feathr, Aleks was a...
Biggest legal mistakes in your startup, with Hutchison's Justyn Kasierski
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have something a little different for you. Justyn Kasierski, partner at Hutchison PLLC, shares some of the biggest legal mistakes that we s...
Countdown to Launch: Product Design, Fundraising, Marketing and Team Building with Danielle Rushton and Ellery Linder of Wherewithal
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As a startup, there’s always that moment in time right before the product launches or the website goes up, when you have worked, and stressed and te...
The Fracture Startup Journey: Jumping off a Cliff to Learn to Fly with Abhi Lokesh
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Abhi Lokesh started Fracture from his college dorm room at the University of Florida. As a young entrepreneur, he made a lot of mistakes - in hiring...
Your character - not your personality - makes you a true leader, with Tilt365's Pam Boney
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In her first career as an executive in the hospitality industry, Pam Boney saw great leaders, poor leaders, and everything in between. So she started ...
Raising Over $475M in Biomedical Startups, with Serial Entrepreneur Daniel White
14 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In order to found a successful company, you don’t just need to be passionate about your business, you also need to know the ins and outs of your ind...
Making Payroll, Raising Capital, and the Adrenaline Rush of Being a HealthTech CEO, with Ludi's Gail Peace
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Gail Peace started her business journey early. At 12 - having never worn makeup - she began selling Avon to women in the neighborhood because it was m...
Lessons in Social and Emotional Entrepreneurship, with Kristen Hopkins (Dangers of the Mind)
18 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL)? Why is it so important to Kristen Hopkins, who founded both Dangers of the Mind and Kristen Hopkins Global? ...
A Deal-Making Magic 8-Ball and Other Surprises: Entrepreneurship and Investing with Robbie Hardy and Fred Hutchison
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Robbie Hardy spent decades climbing the corporate ladder and being the only woman in the room. When she decided it was time to go out on her own, she ...
From NC State to Changing the State of Health Information Networks, with Medicom Technologies’ Malcolm Benitz
16 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Malcolm Benitz and his two co-founders Michael Rosenberg and Chase Ballard, while in the Entrepreneurship program at NC State, found a problem in medi...
Passion and Perseverance, from Startup to Successful Exit with Bob Freedman, CEO of SimpleAuctionSite
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One day Bob Freedman took a chance. He left his big company IT job and went for it. He followed his passion for collectibles and his entrepreneurial d...
More Pats on the Back than Punches in the Gut: Entrepreneur Life with Learn Platform's Karl Rectanus
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the first episode of the Founder Shares Podcast from Hutchison PLLC! Every day, we work with founders and entrepreneurs as they fight and g...
Welcome to the Founder Shares Podcast!
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the Founder Shares Podcast from Hutchison PLLC, where we share stories of what it’s like to be just crazy enough to meet the challenges o...