In this special solo episode of Triangle Tweener Talks, Scot goes beyond the two-part Tweener Times report to walk founders through what the data actually means in practice. This episode exists for one reason: to give Triangle founders clearer goalposts, better context, and fewer surprises when they sit down to raise capital.

Tune in to hear:

• How founders can self-service fundraising expectations using real Triangle data
• The most common caps, discounts, and raise sizes at each stage
• Why $1M ARR is a major valuation inflection point
• SAFE vs convertible note vs priced round, when each actually makes sense
• What investors look for at Seed vs Series A (and why many founders get stuck)
• How founder-market fit and AI trends skew early valuations
• Why Triangle companies often raise less, and why that’s a strength

Where to read each part:
Part 1: https://www.tweenertimes.com/p/part-iii-triangle-startup-venture
Part 2: https://www.tweenertimes.com/p/part-iiii-the-triangles-first-and

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
00:00 – 03:00 Why this data exists & the founder questions it answers

03:00 – 07:00 How the Tweener Fund dataset was built (and anonymized)

07:00 – 15:00 The origin of the Tweener List and index strategy

15:00 – 22:00 How funding stages are defined by company progress

22:00 – 35:00 SAFEs, convertible notes, priced rounds — explained

35:00 – 45:00 How deal structures change from Pre-Seed to Series A

45:00 – 59:00 Valuations, raises, and dilution by stage

59:00 – 1:07:00 What founders should actually do with this data

If this is your first time really digging into venture fundraising, you’ll hear a few terms that investors use casually but aren’t always obvious. Here’s a quick guide to the most common ones we reference in this episode:

• Pre-Seed: The earliest stage of venture funding. Often used to fund initial product development, early customer discovery, or getting to a first version of product-market fit. Rounds are typically smaller and more founder-bet driven.
• Seed: The stage where a company has early traction and is working to prove repeatability. Investors expect evidence that customers want the product, not just that it can be built.
• Series A: A growth-oriented round where the question shifts from “Does this work?” to “Can this scale?” Metrics, revenue quality, and go-to-market execution matter much more here.
• Valuation: The implied value of your company during a fundraise. In early stages, this is often based more on progress, team, and market than on traditional financial metrics.
• Pre-Money vs. Post-Money
  • Pre-money: Your company’s valuation before new capital is invested
  • Post-money: Your valuation after the new money comes in
    This distinction matters a lot for understanding dilution.
• Dilution: The percentage of ownership founders give up when they raise capital. More money or a higher valuation doesn’t always mean less dilution — structure matters.
• SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity): A popular early-stage investment instrument that delays setting a valuation until a future priced round. Simple in theory, nuanced in practice.
• Convertible Note: A loan that converts into equity later, usually at a discount or valuation cap. Older than SAFEs and still common, especially with certain investors.
• Valuation Cap: The maximum valuation at which an investor’s SAFE or note will convert. Lower caps are better for investors; higher caps are better for founders.
• Discount: A percentage reduction applied to a future valuation to reward early investors when their investment converts.
• Priced Round: A funding round where the valuation is explicitly set and equity is issued immediately. More complex, but often clearer once companies reach later stages.
• Progress-Driven Investing: Scot’s way of describing how early-stage investors price risk: capital is deployed based on company progress (traction, learning, momentum), not perfection.
• Founder-Market Fit: How well a founder’s background, experience, and insight align with the problem they’re solving. This often plays an outsized role in very early valuations.

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This episode of Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented and produced by Triangle Tweener Fund, with creative assets and design support from Walk West.

We couldn’t share posts like this without our amazing sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

• Balentine: https://www.balentine.com/triangle-entrepreneurs
• EisnerAmpner: https://www.eisneramper.com
• Robinson Bradshaw: https://www.robinsonbradshaw.com

Silver Sponsors:

• Automated Consulting Group: https://automated.co
• Bank of America: https://business.bofa.com/en-us/content/technology-industry-group.html

2025 Sponsors:

• Extensis HR: http://www.extensishr.com/

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

In Part 2 of this two-part deep dive, Triangle Tweener Talks host Scot Wingo sits down with legendary Triangle founder Mike Doernberg to explore his journey on scaling multiple companies, spinning out new ventures, navigating private equity, and why he never left North Carolina.

Tune in to hear:

• How ReverbNation grew from a side project into a 6M-artist platform
• The spin-out journey behind Adwerx, and why it worked
• Mike’s framework for identifying spinoff opportunities inside existing companies
• Why the team is the company, and why incubated teams can struggle
• The origins of PlayMetrics and the youth-sports system-of-record vision
• How Mike navigates private equity without losing culture or control
• What PE adds that venture capital often can’t
• What it’s like to scale from 25 people to 450+
• Mike’s long view on the Triangle startup ecosystem, then vs. now
• Why he never moved to the Bay Area
• Whether a Mike-led venture studio might be next 👀

Where to Find Mike Doernberg:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldoernberg/
PlayMetrics: https://home.playmetrics.com/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
00:05 — Welcome to Part 2 with Mike Doernberg
00:12 — Coming back from “Home Depot retirement”
00:18 — The origin and explosive growth of ReverbNation
00:27 — Solving the cold-start problem before it had a name
00:33 — Building Promote.it → the foundation for Adwerx
00:42 — Spinning out Adwerx and structuring the deal
00:52 — Should Mike run a venture studio? Scott pushes him
01:00 — Why incubating ideas is easier than incubating founders
01:10 — The spinout challenge: talent dilution
01:15 — The path to PlayMetrics and modernizing youth sports
01:27 — Selling Reverb to focus fully on PlayMetrics
01:38 — Navigating private equity the right way
01:47 — How PE can empower (not suffocate) founders
01:55 — Running a 450-person org and learning a new leadership mode
02:03 — Why Mike stayed in the Triangle — and how the ecosystem evolved
02:16 — Triangle vs. Bay Area: culture, risk, and quality of life
02:30 — Final reflections & Scott’s challenge on a future venture studio
02:38 — Outro & sponsor thank-yous

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This episode of Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented and produced by Triangle Tweener Fund, with creative assets and design support from Walk West.

We couldn’t share posts like this without our amazing sponsors:

Gold Sponsors:

• Balentine: https://www.balentine.com/triangle-entrepreneurs
• EisnerAmpner: https://www.eisneramper.com
• Robinson Bradshaw: https://www.robinsonbradshaw.com

Silver Sponsors:

• Automated Consulting Group: https://automated.co
• Bank of America: https://business.bofa.com/en-us/content/technology-industry-group.html

2025 Sponsors:

• Extensis HR: http://www.extensishr.com/

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

In Part 1 of this two-part deep dive, Triangle Tweener Talks host Scot Wingo sits down with legendary Triangle founder Mike Doernberg to explore the earliest chapters of his career, from CPA to multi-exit entrepreneur.

Mike walks through the founding of Marathon, the rise of early PC-driven consulting, the creation and spinout of SmartPath, raising capital through the old-school angel gauntlets, navigating the DoubleClick acquisition, and why “retirement” lasted all of three months.

Tune in to hear:

• What the early startup ecosystem looked like before the Triangle was “the Triangle.”
• The origins of Marathon and how the rise of PCs and early web consulting created new opportunities.
• How a project inside GlaxoSmithKline became the spark that turned into the SmartPath product.
• Mike’s philosophy for spinning out products successfully, and why strict separation is essential.
• Raising capital in the 90s and early 2000s: angel gauntlets, tough rooms, and memorable TIG stories.
• The SmartPath exit to DoubleClick and why Mike now believes they sold too early.
• How exiting young led him to a very short-lived “retirement” and why founders struggle to sit still.

Where to Find Mike Doernberg:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldoernberg/
PlayMetrics: https://home.playmetrics.com/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
01:02 – Mike’s early background & move to NC
03:30 – Becoming a CPA but wanting more
05:54 – Early exposure to startups at Ernst & Young
07:50 – Why entrepreneurship became inevitable
09:50 – Story of Burl Software and Y2K
12:10 – How Marathon was formed
13:22 – Rising PC adoption and early web consulting
14:51 – Early e-commerce and building internet applications
17:00 – How the GlaxoSmithKline project inspired SmartPath
19:06 – The power of deeply understanding a customer problem
20:34 – Building early commerce & workflow applications
23:40 – SmartPath as an early low-code platform
24:59 – Why selling SmartPath was his biggest mistake
26:00 – Raising venture in the 90s & 2000s
28:20 – The TIG pitching gauntlet
30:00 – A founder’s early-career fear of the unknown
31:10 – The SmartPath exit to DoubleClick
33:00 – Life at DoubleClick & post-acquisition changes
35:20 – Mike retires for 3 months (Home Depot era)
36:50 – Why founders struggle not to build
38:45 – The addiction and community of company building

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This episode of Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented and produced by Triangle Tweener Fund, with creative assets and design support from Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Mark Flickinger is the COO and General Partner at BIP Ventures, one of the Southeast’s most active venture firms. Based in Atlanta, Mark brings a rare dual perspective, an operator who scaled startups before joining the investing side. Since 2015, he’s helped BIP expand from an Atlanta-centric firm into a major player across the Southeast and Midwest.

Every year, BIP Ventures releases its State of Startups in the Southeast report, arguably the most comprehensive snapshot of our region’s innovation economy. In this episode, Scot sits down with Mark to break down the 2025 findings, from AI and valuations to where the capital is really flowing.

Tune in to hear:

• How the State of Startups in the Southeast report came to be, and why it’s become a key annual benchmark for founders and investors.
• The Southeast’s steady growth amid national volatility, and what that says about the region’s resilience.
• Why North Carolina now ranks #2 for capital invested, with a healthy mix of early, mid, and late-stage deals.
• The rise of AI-driven startups, not in infrastructure, but in real applied use cases driving revenue.
• Which investors and funds are most active across the region, from Triangle Tweener Fund to Hatteras, IdeaFund, and CoFounders Capital.
• How Atlanta continues to anchor Georgia’s innovation scene, with momentum in cybersecurity, fintech, and healthcare tech.
• Why balanced growth across industries is dampening volatility and attracting new waves of talent and capital.

Where to Find Mark Flickinger:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-flickinger-24295538/
BIP Capital: https://www.bipcapital.com/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
02:00 – Meet Mark Flickinger & the BIP Ventures origin story
05:30 – How the State of Startups report began
10:00 – What makes the Southeast data different
15:00 – Why the 2025 report matters
18:00 – Trends: AI, capital concentration, and valuation health
23:00 – The Southeast’s unique resilience
27:00 – North Carolina’s rise to #2 in regional investment
31:00 – Triangle Tweener Fund and other active players
37:00 – Atlanta’s current momentum and industry strengths
42:00 – What founders should take away from the data
46:00 – Closing thoughts and Mark’s advice for founders

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This episode of Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented and produced by Triangle Tweener Fund, with creative assets and design support from Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 entrepreneurial journey, from his computer science degree at North Carolina A&T to his early career at IBM and his ventures in everything from the bar industry to e-commerce.
• How his marketing agency, Walk West, is growing 30-40% year over year by helping clients adapt to a world where AI has disrupted traditional go-to-market strategies.
• His "Four P" framework for growth: Podcasts, Partnerships, Paid Media, and Public Relations, and why being "seen, heard, and cited" is critical for success in the age of AI.
• The concept of "personality-led growth" and why building trust and a personal brand is essential when abstract brands and ideas are losing their hold.
• Greg’s love for sneakers and what he collects.
• A fascinating conversation about Michael Jordan's business acumen, his brand effect, and his successful ownership of the Charlotte Hornets.
• The "Blockbuster moment" for Google and why they had no choice but to embrace AI.

Where to Find Greg Boone:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregboone/

Walk West: https://walkwest.com/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:

(00:06:00) The evolution of Walk West from a marketing agency to a content studio.

(00:10:00) Greg’s "Four P" framework for business growth.

(00:16:00) Greg's entrepreneurial journey, including his background in computer science and his various ventures.

(00:23:00) A deep dive into sneaker collecting and the business of Michael Jordan.

(00:32:00) Walk West's growth and the importance of partnerships.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 process and the importance of a strong, collaborative board. He also talks about the challenges of his most recent venture, Belongly, including the difficult decision to pivot the business and raise capital in a shifting market.

Now, as a Duke professor, executive coach, and partner at an AI consulting firm, Doug offers insights on the critical importance of founder mental health and the power of vulnerability in leadership.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Doug was initially hesitant to get involved with TransLoc, a company focused on "mass transit technology".
• The red flags he ignored when joining TransLoc , and how he turned the company around after discovering it was not financially healthy.
• How TransLoc expanded its services beyond tracking buses to create a "mobility network" and provide data-driven insights to transit agencies.
• The story of TransLoc's acquisition by Ford , and the delicate process of bringing a Fortune 15 M&A team back to the table after walking away.
• Dr. Kaufman’s philosophy on how to run a board, including the importance of setting clear roles and fostering a collaborative team environment.
• A candid account of his experience with his next startup, Belongly, and the painful lessons learned from market shifts and fundraising challenges.
• The psychological impact of founder ups and downs , and why Dr. Kaufman believes vulnerability is a "superpower" for entrepreneurs.

Where to Find Dr. Doug Kaufman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdougkaufman/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:01:00) Dr. Kaufman describes how he got connected with TransLoc after leaving Spring Metrics. He initially thought "mass transit technology" was boring until a board member convinced him to talk to the founding CEO, Josh Whitten. 
(00:06:00) Dr. Kaufman became the CEO and raised over $6 million in equity from investors like SJF Ventures and Fontinalis, and another $2 million in debt from Square One.
(00:11:00) Dr. Kaufman reveals that he and his team did walk away from the deal once.
(00:17:00) Dr. Kaufman describes the big idea behind Belongly as an effort to address the mental health crisis in young people
(00:28:00) Dr. Kaufman describes his specific type of executive coaching
(00:33:00) The conversation shifts to founder mental health. 

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 first of a two-part series, Doug recounts his unconventional path from a psychology PhD to joining a hyper-growth tech company, starting his own bootstrapped business, and facing the ultimate test of a founder's resilience in the Triangle.

Tune in to hear:

• Why Doug left the academic track to start his own online education company and a side hustle to fund it.
• His experience in the early days of a hyper-growth startup at Blackboard, and why he eventually left to seek new challenges.
• The story of his move to the Triangle and the founding of his first company, ClearTXT, a one-to-many notification system for universities.
• The unexpected challenges he faced at ClearTXT, including a televised public relations crisis and a patent troll lawsuit.
• Why his bootstrapped company consistently beat a larger, VC-funded competitor in a head-to-head competition.
• The origin of Spring Metrics and his early lessons from joining the Triangle Startup Factory.
• A candid account of his first, disastrous board meeting, and the onset of "founder burnout" that led to a painful but necessary exit.

Where to Find Dr. Doug Kaufman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdougkaufman/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:02:00) Dr. Kaufman's lifelong fascination with psychology, human behavior, and the personal reasons for his interest. 
(00:04:00) The decision to leave academia to start his first company, Alley Dog, and a computer repair side hustle. 
(00:08:00) Joining Blackboard in 1998 and his experience in a hyper-growth tech startup. 
(00:15:00) Why he left Blackboard to move to the Triangle and start his own company. 
(00:18:00) Founding ClearTXT and navigating a major PR crisis at a large university. 
(00:24:00) The lessons he learned from the chaos of startup life, including a patent troll lawsuit and a successful acquisition. 
(00:29:00) The origins of Spring Metrics and joining the Triangle Startup Factory's first cohort. 
(00:37:00) A frank discussion about his first board meeting at Spring Metrics and the difficult experience that followed. 
(00:44:00) His eventual transition out of the CEO role and the valuable lessons he took from the experience.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 solving a problem her own mom faced: book discovery in a crowded market.

Tune in to hear:

• Ricci's immigration story from South Africa to the US and the culture shocks she faced along the way.
• Why she left a lucrative Wall Street job after 9/11 to pursue a more impactful career in microfinance.
• How her experiences at The Body Shop and Lulu Publishing laid the groundwork for her own entrepreneurial venture.
• The origin story of Written Word Media, which was inspired by her mom's self-published book and a realization about the "paradox of choice" on Amazon.
• Why the generous Amazon affiliate program in its early days acted as an unintentional seed fund for the business.
• The unique two-sided marketplace model that matches authors with hyper-personalized email newsletters for readers.
• Ricci's philosophy on "private barometers of success" and why bootstrapping allowed her to build a business aligned with her core values.
• Her passion project, The Flop.ai, a newsletter dedicated to demystifying AI and helping people overcome their fear of new technology.
• Her advice for young founders, including why it's okay to take risks and the value of a strong local community.

Where to Find Ricci Wolman:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricciwolman/
Written Word Media: https://writtenwordmedia.com/
The Flop.ai: https://www.theflop.ai/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:04:00) Ricci’s immigration from Johannesburg, South Africa and the major culture shock of moving to the US.
(00:11:00) Her path to Wall Street, working as an investment banking analyst at Bear Stearns, and leaving after 9/11 for a more impactful role.
(00:17:00) Running an e-commerce side hustle on a Yahoo store and the decision to get her MBA at Harvard Business School.
(00:24:00) The move to North Carolina and her career in e-commerce marketing at The Body Shop and Lulu Publishing.
(00:30:00) How her mom's self-publishing journey inspired the idea for Written Word Media.
(00:48:00) The birth of Free Booksy as a sandbox to test marketing and the accidental funding from the Amazon affiliate program.
(00:58:00) The decision to formally start the business with her husband, Ferol, who left ReverbNation to become her co-founder.
(01:04:00) The unique challenges of balancing the two sides of a marketplace business and keeping authors and readers happy.
(01:07:00) Ricci's bootstrapping philosophy and why she optimizes for "private barometers of success."
(01:14:00) Her new passion project, The Flop.ai, a newsletter to help demystify AI.
(01:18:00) Advice for founders on taking risks, choosing the right path, and leveraging the Triangle's supportive community.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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, Jason shares his unique path, from a childhood in Mebane and studying physics and finance at NC State, to navigating the dot-com bubble in New York and the vibrant startup scene in Silicon Valley. He opens up about the "dysfunction" that birthed new companies from his own efforts and why he ultimately returned to his roots to build Ndustrial into a global leader in industrial energy management.

Tune in to hear:

• Jason's unexpected journey from Mebane, NC, to Wall Street, Silicon Valley, and back again, shaped by a series of "learning experiences."
• The wild story of his early angel investment in Tap Tap Revenge, a mobile game that became an App Store sensation.
• How the "dirty data plumbing" challenge in manufacturing led Ndustrial to pivot from a service business to a SaaS platform for industrial energy management.
• The critical insight that led to Ndustrial's first major product breakthrough: predicting and managing Coincident Peak energy charges for factories.
• Why Ndustrial embraces a hybrid model of SaaS and professional services, contrasting with traditional Silicon Valley expectations.
• His strategic approach to bringing in corporate venture capital from global giants like ABB and GS Energy.
• Jason's vision for Ndustrial, balancing profitability with environmental impact, and why they aim to build a "sustainable business" rather than chasing a quick exit.
• The company's significant work in the cold chain industry, including efforts to optimize food refrigeration and reduce energy consumption.
• The vital role of AI in industrial settings, particularly for contextualizing data and speeding up analysis, even amidst "dirty data."
• Jason's perspective on the Triangle's clean tech ecosystem and the responsibility entrepreneurs have to support each other by buying from local startups.

Where to Find Jason Massey:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmnc/
Ndustrial: https://ndustrial.io/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:06:00) Growing up in Mebane, North Carolina, and his path to entrepreneurship through Wall Street and Silicon Valley. 
(00:13:00) The velocity of failure in Silicon Valley and his first exposure to clean tech. 
(00:17:00) Returning to North Carolina and settling in Mebane with his family. 
(00:20:00) The Tap Tap Revenge angel investment and the lessons learned. 
(00:28:00) The serendipitous founding of Sustainable Industrial Solutions (SIS) and building foundational tech with NC State engineering students. 
(00:37:00) The pivot from SIS to Ndustrial, focusing on industrial production data and the Coincident Peak breakthrough. 
(00:45:00) Why Ndustrial embraces a hybrid model of SaaS and professional services, and their approach to hardware. 
(00:49:00) Ndustrial's $26 million fundraising journey and the strategic value of corporate VCs. 
(00:53:00) Dominating the cold chain market and its massive energy and sustainability impact. 
(01:02:00) The value of being "Switzerland" in the energy markets and building a truly sustainable business. 
(01:10:00) The significant AI play at Ndustrial, using LLMs for contextualizing data and enhancing user interfaces. 
(01:15:00) Jason's commitment to mentoring and supporting the Triangle's entrepreneurial community.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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, differentiating it from accelerators, incubators, and traditional venture capital. Eric also offers a candid assessment of the Triangle's startup ecosystem, highlighting its strengths and identifying key areas for growth.

Tune in to hear:

• What a venture studio is and how Eric's 24 and Up model co-creates companies with entrepreneurs, acting as an "unpaid co-founder."
• How the venture studio model provides hands-on support, helping companies grow faster and achieve better outcomes.
• The origin stories of Revcast (revenue optimization), Wayfound (AI agent performance management), Troop (brand story consistency with AI), and Sesame (digital identity marketplace), including which ideas came from within the studio and which were external.
• The challenges and opportunities of building companies in a changing macroeconomic landscape.
• Eric's perspective on managing multiple companies simultaneously and the team structure at 24 and Up.
• A candid discussion on the Triangle's startup ecosystem, including its strengths in technical talent and successful founders, and areas needing development like early-stage venture capital.
• Why entrepreneurs have a responsibility to buy from other startups to strengthen the local ecosystem.

Where to Find Eric Boduch:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-boduch-a1b61/
24 and Up: https://www.24andup.com/
Revcast: https://www.revcast.com/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:00:03) Eric's plea: Entrepreneurs must buy from other entrepreneurs to build a stronger ecosystem. 
(00:04:46) What is a venture studio? Eric breaks down his model for co-creating and funding companies. 
(00:06:33) Why Eric chose the venture studio model over accelerators, incubators, or traditional VC. 
(00:12:00) The birth of Revcast: from an internal Pendo idea to a revenue optimization solution. 
(00:17:56) The origin of Wayfound: an AI play in agent performance management. 
(00:21:47) Introducing Troop: leveraging AI for brand story consistency and improving win rates. 
(00:24:34) Sesame: an external idea for a digital identity verification marketplace. 
(00:26:17) Looking ahead: New ventures in social selling, e-commerce, and AI agent technology. 
(00:28:30) Managing multiple companies and the strategic advantage of asymmetric information for early-stage investment. 
(00:33:15) Building the 24 and Up team and the strategy behind raising more capital for the studio. 
(00:36:13) Comparing the Raleigh and Pittsburgh ecosystems: strengths, weaknesses, and the need for "Pendo Mafia" spin-offs. 
(00:43:56) The critical need for early-stage "YOLO" VC funds in the Triangle to back generational companies. 
(00:49:32) The entrepreneur's responsibility to buy from other startups and foster local growth.

Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

This is Part 1 of Eric Boduch's story. Tune in next week for Part 2!

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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.

Eric gets into his early days, his path to co-founding Pendo, and the strategic decisions that helped shape its unique brand and culture. 

If you've ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes of building a high-growth startup and the critical role of product, this conversation offers invaluable insights.

Tune in to hear:

• Eric's early fascination with computers and how he balanced academics with sports from a young age.
• The story of his first startup with Todd Olson (Pendo CEO) and the valuable, albeit tough, lessons learned during the dot-com crash.
• How Eric transitioned into marketing and product roles at larger companies, gaining international experience and an understanding of public company dynamics.
• The origins of Pendo, from its unique name and iconic pink branding to its groundbreaking approach to product experience and company culture.
• Eric's perspective on the "golden era of product management" driven by AI and why understanding user problems is more critical than ever.
• The personal decision behind stepping away from Pendo to pursue his long-held ambition of running a venture studio.

Where to Find Eric Boduch:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-boduch-a1b61/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:05:38) Growing up in Western Massachusetts, the home of Friendly's Ice Cream, and his early start in coding and sports. 
(00:08:28) How Eric chose Carnegie Mellon for computer engineering and developed his entrepreneurial bug. 
(00:12:22) The founding of Cerebellum with Todd Olson and the tough lessons from the dot-com crash. 
(00:17:12) Post-Cerebellum ventures, including ProductSoft and his time at Embarcadero and Vitria. 
(00:22:08) The timing challenges of Smash Technologies and the rise of mobile apps. 
(00:25:19) The genesis of Pendo: from initial ideas with Todd Olson to the early days of building the product. 
(00:28:46) Eric's role in Pendo's early marketing, the struggle to define a category, and the origins of the pink dinosaur brand. 
(00:39:01) The rapid growth and culture-building at Pendo, including the challenges of scaling from 1 to 30+ employees quickly. 
(00:41:44) His transition to leading Adopt (now Pendo for Employees) and the future of software usage. 
(00:44:33) Eric's vision for Pendo as a $100 billion company and the critical role of product data in the age of AI. 
(00:49:06) Why Eric was drawn to venture studios and why now felt like the right time to launch his own.

Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

This is Part 1 of Eric Boduch's story. Tune in next week for Part 2!

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 shares his journey of building community-driven businesses, from his early days working at a ski resort to launching Raleigh Founded and now expanding his vision with Blueco. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to pivot, scale, and truly make an impact in your community, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

Tune in to hear:

• How Jason’s early entrepreneurial experiences shaped his work ethic and future ventures.
• The story behind Raleigh Founded and its pivotal role in connecting Triangle entrepreneurs.
• Why Jason saw a need for Blue Co. – a flexible warehousing solution – and how it supports small businesses like plumbers, electricians, and moving companies.
• The lessons Jason learned from building and scaling businesses in hospitality, real estate, and co-working.
• Jason’s future vision for Blue Co. and his strategy for expanding across the Southeast.

Where to Find Jason Widen:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwiden
• Blue Co.: https://www.bluecowarehousing.com/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:03:00) Jason’s early years and how a ski resort job sparked his entrepreneurial spirit.
(00:10:15) The start of Raleigh Founded, a co-working space that grew into a hub for Triangle entrepreneurs.
(00:18:00) The inception of Blue Co., a flexible warehouse solution for plumbers, electricians, and moving companies.
(00:26:30) Real-world lessons from Jason’s ventures, including the challenges of starting a restaurant and building a real estate empire.
(00:38:05) Scaling Blue Co. and Jason’s plans for expanding across the Southeast.

In the news:

• Going Against the Flow: Chris Heivly, Managing Director of The Startup Factory: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/going-against-the-flow-ch_b_10596620
• One-on-one: ‘Startup Whisperer’ Chris Heivly talks Raleigh-Durham Startup Week, Triangle’s success, new book: https://wraltechwire.com/2023/04/19/one-on-one-startup-whisperer-chris-heivly-talks-raleigh-durham-startup-week-triangles-success-new-book/

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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’s entrepreneurial journey, discussing everything from his time building map systems for the U.S. State Department to his pivot into founding one of the Triangle’s first startup accelerators, the Triangle Startup Factory.

Tune in to hear:

• Chris’s early fascination with maps and how it led him to become a leader in the tech space.
• The inside story of MapQuest and its revolutionary role in the rise of online mapping, years before Google Maps.
• The entrepreneurial lessons Chris learned while transitioning from MapQuest to venture capital.
• Insights from running one of the first accelerators in the Triangle and how it shaped the region’s startup ecosystem.
• Stories of standout companies from the Triangle Startup Factory, including the success of Archive Social.

Where to Find Chris Heivly:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisheivly/
• Build the Fort Blog: https://heivly.com/blog/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:03:00) Chris's love of maps and how it shaped his career from geography major to tech innovator.

(00:10:15) The breakthrough moment: from computer mapping to building mapping systems for the U.S. State Department.

(00:17:45) The story of MapQuest’s creation, why it was so ahead of its time, and how it revolutionized navigation.

(00:27:30) Chris’s time at Donnelly and the strategic decisions that led to MapQuest's success.

(00:38:05) The evolution from VC to accelerator: Chris’s journey building the Triangle Startup Factory and shaping the local ecosystem.

(00:46:52) Chris’s key lessons for startup founders and how to build a lasting legacy.

In the news:

• Going Against the Flow: Chris Heivly, Managing Director of The Startup Factory: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/going-against-the-flow-ch_b_10596620
• One-on-one: ‘Startup Whisperer’ Chris Heivly talks Raleigh-Durham Startup Week, Triangle’s success, new book: https://wraltechwire.com/2023/04/19/one-on-one-startup-whisperer-chris-heivly-talks-raleigh-durham-startup-week-triangles-success-new-book/

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 measure and improve engineering productivity at scale.

In today’s episode, we talk to Hersh about his journey, from growing up in Raleigh to leading a company that's reshaping the way engineering teams operate. Hersh shares how Allstacks went from a consulting business to a product-driven company, the challenges of raising capital, and what he’s learned about engineering productivity in the process.

Tune in to hear:

• Hersh’s path to founding Allstacks and his early struggles with raising capital.
• The challenge of measuring engineering productivity and how Allstacks solves it with data.
• Insights on making the leap from consulting to product development and what tech companies need to understand about the market.
• The future of engineering productivity—how AI is playing a role in tracking performance.
• Lessons learned from building a dev-tech startup in a competitive space.

Where to Find Hersh Tapadia:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershtapadia
• Allstacks: https://www.allstacks.com

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:03:00) From Raleigh to Allstacks – How Hersh’s journey led him to build a product that’s changing the game for engineering teams.
(00:10:15) The Early Days – Raising capital, finding product-market fit, and making the leap from consulting to product development.
(00:17:45) The Allstacks Approach – How data can drive engineering productivity and why it’s more than just tracking output.
(00:27:30) Navigating the Tech Space – The challenges of scaling in the dev-tech world and the lessons learned along the way.
(00:38:05) The Future of Engineering Productivity – What’s next for engineering teams and how AI is shaping the way they work.
(00:46:52) Lessons for Founders – Hersh’s hard-earned wisdom on building a company, raising capital, and navigating the startup rollercoaster.

In the news:

• Allstacks raises $20M to help engineering teams measure productivity: https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/30/allstacks-raises-20m-productivity/
• How Allstacks is changing the way engineering teams measure success: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hersh-tapadia-allstacks/
• The Importance of Data-Driven Engineering Teams in 2025: https://www.businessinsider.com/data-driven-engg-productivity-allstacks

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 Entrepreneurs Program, his influence is felt across generations of entrepreneurs.

Today, we sit down with Dr. Miller to hear his journey, the creation of the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program, his work with students like Bill Nussey and Chris Evans, and his thoughts on the evolving role of entrepreneurship in education.

In this episode:

• Dr. Miller’s Early Years – Growing up in eastern North Carolina and how his humble beginnings fueled his curiosity in technology and entrepreneurship.
• The Spark at NC State – How a professor’s advice led him to take the leap from big corporations to the startup world.
• Founding the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program – Building the foundation for NC State's first program designed to foster entrepreneurship in engineers.
• The DaVinci Story – How students from his program, like Bill Nussey and Chris Evans, founded DaVinci, a revolutionary tech startup.
• Transforming the Triangle – Tom’s role in developing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triangle, impacting thousands of students.
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset – What it takes to build successful startups and why entrepreneurs should embrace risk and failure.
• Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs – Dr. Miller’s invaluable advice on navigating university systems, securing funding, and building sustainable businesses.

Where to Find Dr. Tom Miller:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkmiller/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:

• (00:03:00) Growing Up in Eastern North Carolina – How Tom’s early experiences shaped his path into technology and entrepreneurship.
• (00:08:26) From Big Corporations to Startups – The moment Tom took the leap from IBM and Motorola to the world of startups.
• (00:14:57) Founding the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program – How Tom built the foundation for engineering-focused entrepreneurship at NC State.
• (00:27:12) The DaVinci Success Story – How Bill Nussey and Chris Evans took the lessons from the program to launch DaVinci and make their mark.
• (00:39:28) Transforming Education – Tom’s role in reshaping the university’s approach to entrepreneurship and how it impacted thousands of students.
• (00:52:13) The Entrepreneurial Mindset – Why embracing failure and risk is essential for founders.
• (01:05:00) Lessons for the Next Generation – Advice Tom would give to young entrepreneurs looking to build their own startups.
• (01:15:40) The Triangle’s Startup Ecosystem – How the region evolved into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

In the news:

• Remembering Marshall Brain, Founder of HowStuffWorks: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/marshall-brain.htm

Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 calendar-based marketing solution helping brands reach customers at exactly the right time.

ZW (Robert Fu)

• Platform suite includes ZAI, ZMAP, and ZFastQ—each targeting different needs in manufacturing and R&D.
• Combines deep manufacturing experience with proprietary AI to handle data-heavy optimization challenges.
• Focused on proof-of-concept engagements with industrial clients, including those looking to reduce energy use or improve yield.
• Emphasizes speed over patents—lean team, bootstrapped hustle, and decades of industry know-how.
• Looking to build out sales and marketing strategy with targeted funding.

InviteJet (Brian Watson & Paul Davis)

• Pioneering “calendar marketing” with branded invites that sync to customers’ calendars for product drops, shipping alerts, and events.
• Deep integrations with Shopify, Klaviyo, and Mailchimp; strong early traction with eComm brands.
• Clear technical moat in managing cross-platform calendar compatibility and high-scale deliverability.
• Future plans include AI-powered segmentation and automation, plus agency partnerships to scale distribution.
• Big focus on customer education and making a brand’s most important moments unmissable.

Selection Committee

• Robbie Allen – General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund
• Nikita Ramaswamy – Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund
• Scot Wingo – Host & General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund

Key Discussion Topics

🧠 ZW’s Highlights

• Custom AI models built to solve complex, high-variable industrial problems
• Strong market understanding from years inside Corning and similar legacy companies
• Sales strategy driven by proof-of-concept deals and existing network relationships
• Bootstrapped and scrappy: trade shows, peanut butter sandwiches, and real customer traction
• Plans to scale with the right sales hire and targeted marketing spend

📅 InviteJet’s Highlights

• Calendar invites as a new marketing channel—high visibility, minimal friction, big conversion potential
• Built-in unsubscribe controls, multi-tenant tools, and robust integration roadmap
• Not chasing trends: AI is in the plan but not the product’s core value
• Early success with brands doing weekly drops and time-sensitive promos
• Clear-eyed about the challenges of educating the market—and excited to lead the way

📌 Timestamps
(00:00:04) – Championship kickoff with Scot Wingo
(00:01:25) – ZW fields questions on product, AI architecture, and industrial go-to-market
(00:27:04) – InviteJet dives into scaling, technical differentiation, customer retention, and future roadmap
(01:02:47) – Selection committee debrief and reflections on both companies

So who wins?  🏆 Tune in to find out!

This episode wraps up the Tweener Madness series, where eight Triangle startups competed for a $25K investment and plenty of local bragging rights.

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 platform and a voice AI company transforming local government services. Two bold visions. One coveted spot in the finals.

Let’s meet the contenders.

 🔹 InviteJet (Paul Davis & Brian Watson) – A marketing platform that lets brands send calendar invites—yes, calendar invites—to their customers. With integrations into tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp, InviteJet gives brands a new channel for time-based marketing. Early traction shows that calendar invites can outperform email when it comes to urgency and engagement, especially with unengaged audiences.

🔹 CivicReach (Chip Kennedy) – A voice AI platform built to modernize how local governments serve their residents. CivicReach helps cities and counties automatically answer incoming calls, reducing costs and relieving overworked staff. With integrations into CRMs and payment systems, CivicReach is on a mission to improve public service delivery—without increasing headcount.

🎤 InviteJet’s Pitch

• Provides an alternative to crowded inboxes using calendar invites as a persistent, underutilized communication channel.
• Helps brands boost conversions during product launches, sales events, shipping cutoffs, and re-engagement campaigns.
• Built-in unsubscribe features, strong deliverability, and a UX designed for different calendar clients.
• Exploring a pricing evolution from tiered subscription to usage-based.
• Technical moat in managing calendar clients (Google, Outlook, Apple) and formatting consistent, branded experiences.

🎤 CivicReach’s Pitch

• Targets a clear pain point for cities drowning in calls but short on staff or call center support.
• Focused on voice AI that can route, answer, and assist callers with accurate, up-to-date info—customized to each city’s needs.
• Emphasizes cost savings, improved customer experience, and integrations with existing systems.
• Moat includes proprietary speech-to-text and integrations tailored to government use cases, as well as a custom data layer.
• Structured pilots lead to multi-year contracts, with pricing transparency and ROI baked in from day one.

Selection Committee

• Zakiya Alta Lee-Hill – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakiyaaltalee/
• Antony Rotoli – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyrotoli/
• Mitch Mumma – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchmumma/

📌 Timestamps
(00:00:35) – Scot Wingo kicks off the InviteJet vs. CivicReach semifinal showdown.
(00:01:31) – InviteJet answers questions on market education, technical complexity, customer success stories, and pricing models.
(00:23:34) – CivicReach fields questions on ROI, government buying cycles, integration strategies, and its founding story.
(00:41:36) – Founders reflect on the mission, momentum, and long-term potential.
(00:43:12) – The selection committee deliberates.
(00:50:33) – One company advances to the Tweener Madness finals!

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 between leadership, perception, and decision-making. Katherine has worked with leaders around the world, from embassies to startups, helping them unlock deeper levels of wisdom and navigate uncertainty. She’s bringing all of her expertise to Raleigh Durham Startup Week as a keynote speaker, and she’s here to share a sneak peek of what attendees can expect.

You’ll hear Katherine discuss:

• The biggest misconception about leadership
• How perception shapes outcomes, both in business and personal life
• Why founders should cultivate their “inner game” for stronger leadership
• How leveraging unconscious potential can help you make decisions faster and more effectively
• And much more!

If you’re a founder or executive struggling with uncertainty and high-stakes decisions, Katherine’s talk is not to be missed at Raleigh Durham Startup Week on April 8th. 

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership isn't just about strategy and decision-making—it’s about how you perceive and process information.
• Cultivating both your conscious and unconscious mind (your “inner game”) is essential for navigating the complexities of leadership.
• The ability to tap into your intuition can help you make better decisions faster and stay calm under pressure.

Links Mentioned:

• Raleigh Durham Startup Week: https://www.raleighdurhamstartupweek.com/
• Connect with Katherine Krupka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinekrupka/

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is (usually) hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 manufacturers optimize glass and ceramics production with deep tech. The stakes are higher than ever—only one will move on to the championship round.

The Contenders

🔹 Moxie (Jessica Parker) – An AI-powered research writing platform designed for PhD students, faculty, and academic researchers. Moxie helps streamline the writing and review process while preserving intellectual integrity and preventing misuse of generative AI. It’s a closed system, workflow-oriented, and focused on fluency and complexity—going far beyond what tools like Grammarly can do.
🔗 Learn more about Moxie

🔹 ZW (Robert Fu) – A precision AI platform for the materials science industry. ZW’s suite of tools helps manufacturers of glass and ceramics reduce R&D time, cut costs, and lower emissions by optimizing material formulas and manufacturing parameters. With traction in enterprise settings and deep subject-matter expertise, ZW is turning AI into ROI for an overlooked vertical.
🔗 Learn more about ZW

Key Highlights

🎤 Jessica’s Q&A (Moxie)

• Moxie focuses on research fluency and complexity, not just grammatical accuracy.
• Sees usage across the research workflow—writing, reviewing, and iteration tracking.
• YouTube channel and SEO are key drivers of user acquisition.
• Challenges: Pricing accessibility for international students and educating users on AI trust and data privacy.
• Long-term vision: Create a full-stack research platform beyond just writing tools.

🎤 Robert’s Q&A (ZW)

• ZW’s AI reduces energy and costs for manufacturers by optimizing material formulas and operational settings.
• Tailors its models to each customer using proprietary data—ensuring privacy and precision.
• Already saving enterprise clients millions in throughput and energy.
• Challenges: Limited sales/marketing bandwidth, need to scale outside of founder networks.
• Long-term vision: Expand from glass and ceramics into polymers, advanced materials, and beyond.

Selection Committee Insights

💡 Mahati Sridhar saw opportunity for both platforms to scale but emphasized the importance of refining go-to-market and self-service onboarding. She noted ZW’s long-term expansion potential into other verticals.

💡 Jan Davis appreciated Moxie’s collaborative model and grassroots traction via content marketing, while noting ZW’s deeper tech and need for pricing adjustments. She voiced concern about whether ZW can scale without heavy customization.

💡 David Gardner leaned toward ZW’s B2B focus and high-value contracts, noting the risk of Moxie being overtaken by generic LLM tools if defensibility isn’t strengthened.

Who Will Move On? 🏆

After a close and thoughtful debate, the selection committee made their call. Which of these future-forward startups will compete for the $25K prize in the championship round? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Today's Selection Committee:

• Mahati Sridhar (Revolution's Rise of the Rest) – LinkedIn
• Jan Davis (Investor & Entrepreneur) – LinkedIn
• David Gardner (Cofounders Capital) – LinkedIn

📌 Timestamps

• (00:00:35) – Scot Wingo introduces the Fabulous Four and the selection committee
• (00:01:18) – Jessica Parker (Moxie) answers questions on AI defensibility, research integrity, and user acquisition
• (00:18:58) – Robert Fu (ZW) shares insights into AI optimization, customer savings, and sales strategy
• (00:36:42) – Judges reflect on both companies, discuss product-market fit, and debate defensibility and growth
• (00:45:12) – Final votes are cast—who moves on to the final?

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

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 Contenders

🔹 Deliveri (Jason Brown) – A full-service logistics tech stack for small e-commerce businesses shipping across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. Deliveri helps brands compare rates, insure shipments, automate duties and taxes, and create branded tracking pages—all through a single platform that plugs right into Shopify and other storefronts. 

🔹 InviteJet (Brian Watson and Paul Davis) – A marketing platform that lets brands send calendar invites—yes, calendar invites—to their customers as a new way to drive engagement and conversions. With integrations into tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp, InviteJet is showing strong early traction with e-commerce brands eager for alternatives to crowded inboxes. 

Key Highlights

🎤 Jason’s Pitch (Deliveri)

• Aims to be the Supabase of e-commerce logistics.
• Helps early-stage Shopify sellers streamline shipping, returns, insurance, and customs paperwork.
• Offers discounted rates with major carriers and integrates easily with existing storefronts.
• Traction: 2000+ shipments pre-launch and a go-to-market partnership with Hello Alice targeting 1.5M small businesses.
• Challenges: Still pre-launch and entering a crowded space with big players like Shopify and Flexport.

🎤 Brian & Paul’s Pitch (InviteJet)

• Created to solve a problem the founders experienced firsthand—missed time-sensitive e-commerce sales.
• Converts events like product drops and sales into calendar invites to drive in-the-moment engagement.
• 7M+ invites sent, 35 paying customers, and revenue-per-send metrics that outperform traditional email.
• Vision: Become the infrastructure for time-based marketing across verticals.
• Challenges: Educating the market, and early churn may come from limited use cases or seasonal campaigns.

Selection Committee Insights

💡 Robbie Hardy appreciated that both teams showed strong command of their business and were confident without overselling. She was intrigued by InviteJet’s novel approach and experience-driven founding story.

💡 Michael Jones noted how polished both pitches were and was impressed by the capital efficiency of both companies. He saw strong acquisition potential for both Deliveri and InviteJet.

💡 Jason Caplain pointed to the early traction InviteJet has achieved with limited resources, calling it "best of class" in terms of scrappiness and growth. He also highlighted Deliveri's strong vision and founder-market fit in the logistics space.

Who Will Move On? 🏆

After a thoughtful debate, one startup gets the nod to move forward in Tweener Madness and the chance to compete for the $25K investment. Which company did the committee choose? You’ll have to tune in to find out!

Today's Selection Committee:

• Jason Caplain (Bull City Venture Partners) – LinkedIn
• Robbie Hardy  – LinkedIn
• Michael Jones – LinkedIn

📌 Timestamps

(00:00:35) – Host Scot Wingo introduces the matchup: Deliveri vs. InviteJet and welcomes the judges.
 (00:01:18) – Jason Brown (Deliveri) kicks off his pitch, outlining a logistics tech platform for small e-commerce sellers.
 (00:09:59) – Judges ask about scaling, competition, customer fit, and what makes Deliveri sticky as customers grow.
 (00:24:12) – Brian Watson and Paul Davis (InviteJet) pitch their calendar-based marketing solution.
 (00:30:53) – Judges dive into potential spam concerns, unsubscribes, and use cases beyond e-commerce.
 (00:36:41) – Paul shares case studies from his own brand, Mozie Tea, showing 400%+ sales lift from calendar invites.
 (00:46:51) – Judges reflect on the pitches, share feedback, and cast their votes.
 (00:51:02) – Final decision and closing thoughts from the selection committee.

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/