In this episode of the Give First podcast, hosts David Cohen is joined by Kevin Noertker, CEO and co-founder of Ampaire. Kevin shares his journey from aspiring astronaut and NASA engineer to leading a revolutionary Techstars-backed company.

Ampaire is advancing hybrid electric aviation, aiming to cut aircraft fuel usage by 50-70%, addressing both environmental and economic issues in the aviation sector.

Kevin discusses the concept of 'invariant milestones' for setting and achieving ambitious goals, the challenges of blending the automotive and aviation industries, and the importance of resilient, mission-driven leadership.

The episode also covers Ampaire's fundraising journey, strategic decisions, and Kevin's commitment to the entrepreneurial community.

Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohen

Listen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Give First podcast, David Cohen speaks with Marc Steren, Cofounder and Co-CEO of University Startups. The two discuss the entrepreneurial journey and the transformative impact of education.

Marc offers insights into his 30-year entrepreneurial career, from pioneering mobile ticketing to selling his company in 2012, and transitioning to education as a professor at Georgetown University. He also recounts the unexpected success and eventual founding of University Startups, an AI-augmented curriculum designed to empower under-resourced students by providing pathways to higher education and career success through virtual generative AI counselors.

The conversation covers the importance of being mission-focused for startup success, the value of running numerous small experiments, and the impact of having celebrity investors like Steven Spielberg and Michael Jordan.

Cohen and Steren also take time to explore the challenges and opportunities within the current educational system, the need for reform, and the unique approach of University Startups in democratizing access to quality education.

Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohen

Listen & subscribe to the Give First podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emma Bates, co-founder of Diem, is reshaping the way women search the internet. Diem is a social search engine designed to provide women with trustworthy, community-driven results. In this episode of Give First, Emma talks about her journey building Diem, starting with her experience in the Techstars accelerator and the inspiration behind her women-centric approach to search.

Emma dives into the challenges of fundraising as a female founder, sharing hard-earned insights on overcoming bias in venture capital. “Fundraising is a game,” Bates explains in her strategies for navigating investor interactions and the importance of staying focused amidst a sometimes discouraging landscape.

Listeners will also hear the inside story of Diem's $3.7 million funding round, and the details behind a challenging experience that highlights the gender disparities that still exist in the VC world. Emma's candid discussion with David Cohen offers valuable guidance for any entrepreneur seeking investment.

Follow David Cohen on Twitter @davidcohen

Follow Emma Bates on Instagram @emmashbates

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.