The Build vs. Buy Software Debate: Tips from Startup Engineering Leaders | The Pair Program Ep01

Join us as our hosts, Tim and Mike, talk to startup engineering leaders Mike Garrett and Ian Lotinsky. Mike Garrett, an Engineering Manager at Caribou, is no stranger to startup life and has experienced the startup lifecycle from pre-money through acquisition. Ian is the VP of Product, Engineering, and Design at Imagine Learning. He’s been building web products since the mid-90s for organizations of all sizes. In this episode we take a deep dive into the build vs. buy software debate.

You’ll learn:

- How real tech leaders make the decision to build or buy software

- The pros and cons of building vs. buying software

- Practical tips on how you can make the right decision for your team

Subscribe to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler (creator of hatchpad) alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth.

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In this episode of How We Hatched, host Tim Winkler sits down with Matt Theurer, Co-Founder & CEO of HyperSpectral.ai, to explore Matt’s entrepreneurial journey and his groundbreaking work in AI-driven spectral technology. Matt’s career has been marked by a series of bold ventures, from his early days at NIH to leading successful tech companies, including the sale of Virtustream to EMC for $1.2 billion. Today, Matt shares how HyperSpectral.ai is revolutionizing areas such as food safety, human health, and secure supply chains by combining AI with spectral data.

They delve into:

- Matt’s journey from a curious engineering student to pioneering entrepreneur.

- His venture with Virtustream, including the pursuit of raising venture capital.

- The origins of HyperSpectral.ai and the many use cases of their technology

- Interest from DARPA in solving secure supply chain issues and expanding HyperSpectral’s applications in government

Join us as Matt shares insights into balancing family, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in spectral technology.

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Unlocking Value in the Federal Market: A Conversation with Deep Water Point & Associates | The Pair Program Ep52

In this episode, we dive into the complex world of federal market consulting with Greg Buckis and Meghan DiAndrea, leaders at Deep Water Point & Associates. Deep Water is known for blending government and industry expertise, offering clients tailored guidance to navigate the intricacies of the federal space. Greg and Meghan share insights into their unique business model and the values that drive their work. Whether it's helping clients write winning proposals or guiding them through acquisitions, Deep Water is all about empowering growth and delivering results.

They discuss:

• Deep Water’s innovative business model and their talent-first approach.
• How Deep Water leverages a consultant-heavy model to drive growth.
• The types of projects they undertake, from government-wide contracts to transaction advisory.
• The qualities they look for in consultants and the unique backgrounds they attract.
• Industry trends and emerging opportunities in the government sector.

Tune in for an engaging conversation on how Deep Water Point & Associates is shaping the future of federal consulting!

About Meghan DiAndrea: Consultant with more than a decade of government contracting experience specializing in corporate operations. She is a proven leader focused on driving enterprise organizational performance and translating business strategy into powerful people strategy. Since joining Deep Water Point and Associates she has advised on and led client engagements across the federal business lifecycle with primary focus on pre- and post-merger integration.

About Greg Buckis: Greg is the CFO at Deep Water Point & Associates and has held senior financial roles in various GOV CON businesses to include public company corporat controllers and private company CFO. He also was at Nasdaq helping them go public. Much of his career has involved change management, business transformation and Mergers and Acquisitions.

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CTO Wisdom with Liming Zhao | Beyond The Program

Welcome to CTO Wisdom, where we explore the journeys of technical leaders who have transitioned into executive roles. Today, guest host Eric Brooke sits down with Liming Zhao, a technology innovator transforming traditional industries.

In this episode, they cover:

• Liming’s journey from researcher to CTO, and the challenges along the way.
• The importance of staying current with emerging technologies.
• The need to delegate effectively to avoid bottlenecks and empower your team.
• How decision-making evolves as you rise to senior leadership, often with limited information.
• Embracing failure as a learning opportunity.
• The role of networking for mentorship and peer support.

About today’s guest: Liming Zhao, former CTO of Nomad Health and Compass, is a technology innovator transforming traditional industries. At Compass, he led the technology team and developed a comprehensive productivity suite for real estate agents, while at Nomad Health, he and his team created an AI-powered digital labor marketplace for healthcare professionals. With a Ph.D. in computer science and experience in supercomputing at D.E. Shaw Research, Liming applies his expertise to solve complex business challenges. He envisions a future where technological advancements optimize societal productivity, enabling humans to focus on their unique strengths while technology handles routine tasks efficiently.

About today’s host: Eric Brooke has a rich and varied leadership career - leading up to 21,000 people and Billions in revenue, throughout 14 countries. In their career, they have been an Executive six times (e.g. President, CEO, CMO, and CTO) and a Board member of multiple organisations. Eric has been a CTO of scaling startups from 0 to 120 engineers. As an adviser and mentor, they have helped multiple other startups scale both in Canada and the US. As well as supporting multiple startup incubators such as 1871 in Chicago and TechStars.

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Mission Transition: SkillBridge's Role in Civilian Careers | The Pair Program Ep51

In this episode, we sit down with two incredible guests - Cameron Watts and John Sokol - who bring a wealth of experience from both military service and the civilian workforce. Together, they dive into the SkillBridge program, which connects transitioning service members with internship opportunities in the civilian world, offering a direct pathway to employment.Tune in to learn about the unique challenges veterans face in corporate transitions, the importance of programs like SkillBridge, and actionable advice for veterans and companies alike.Whether you’re a veteran planning your next move or a company eager to hire talented veterans, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss!

About Cameron Watts: Special Operations veteran and experienced leader in venture capital with a strong track record in driving growth and innovation. Currently focused on product development at an AI company, blending technical expertise with strategic insight to shape the future of the industry.

About John Sokol: John is a retired (20 years) Naval Officer who worked as a Naval Flight Officer during his time in service. At the end of his Naval career, he did a SkillBridge internship with STIHL, Inc working in their E-commerce department. At the completion of the internship, John started working at 2 Circle, Inc, which is a small veteran-owned company, where he works as a Senior Warfare Analyst and a Business Development Manager.

References:

https://skillbridge.osd.mil/

https://www.hiringourheroes.org/

How We Hatched: Michael Hauser, VP and Managing Partner of SAIC Ventures

Welcome to our most recent episode of How We Hatched! In this episode, you’ll hear from Michael Hauser, Vice President and Managing Partner of SAIC Ventures. SAIC leverages IT and digital engineering to solve the government’s most pressing challenges while strategically investing in national security and commercial dual-use startups.Tune in to discover:

• How SAIC accelerates go-to-market for startups and aligns them with federal customers
• The defense tech ecosystem and key verticals SAIC focuses on
• What makes SAIC a strategic investor, not just a financial backer
• Insights into their investment process, including the horizons and industries they target
• Michael's take on the top defense tech trends, plus a fun discussion about his worst fashion choice!

If you’re a founder aiming to make an impact in the federal space, this episode is a must-listen!

Navigating Defense Innovation: Collaborative Piloting with the U.S. Navy & Startups | The Pair Program Ep50

In this compelling episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of defense technology and innovation with three experts leading the charge.

Join us as we speak with Justin Fanelli, Acting CTO for the Department of Navy and Technical Director of PEO Digital; Katie Wildman, Senior Business and Technology Strategist at PEO Digital and Enterprise Services; and Colin Gounden, CEO of VIA.

Together, they explore the critical intersection of defense missions and technological advancements, and how collaboration between the Navy and startups is driving significant progress.In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How the Department of the Navy’s mission is closely linked with advancements in technology and the need for ongoing innovation.
• The Navy’s collaboration with startups: Hear from Colin Gounden on how VIA aligns with the Navy’s mission and the importance of integrating commercial tech solutions within defense operations.
• How the Navy employs structured piloting and challenges to scale and evaluate new technologies.
• Insights on where commercial companies can identify opportunities to work with the Navy, and tips for contributing to defense innovation.

About Justin Fanelli: Justin is the Acting CTO for the Dept of Navy and the Technical Director (TD) of PEO Digital. As CTO, his office is laser focused on measurably improving technology-driven mission outcomes within the Dept of Navy. As TD, his Program Executive Office is expediting the performant, secure transformation of enterprise information technology infrastructure. He currently serves as an Advisor for Advanced Research Project Agency – Health (ARPA-H), the NIST AI Safety Institute and various S&T advisory boards. Outside of the office, he currently teaches graduate courses at Georgetown University. Justin has lectured at a dozen other universities including Harvard, Dartmouth and Penn. He advises on innovation and recently gave a TED talk on innovation adoption.

About Katie Wildman: Katie Wildman is a Senior Business and Technology Strategist supporting Program Executive Office Digital and Enterprise Services (PEO DES) at the Department of Navy (DON). She manages the PEO DES pilot program, accelerating adoption of modern technology and business processes at the DON. When not at work, she loves to run, travel, and volunteer at hospice facilities with her therapy dog, Maisey!

About Colin Gounden: As VIA’s CEO, Colin Gounden has led VIA’s Web3 technology roadmap and secured several of the world’s leading energy companies and the U.S. Department of Defense as customers. Colin is a Harvard University graduate with two previous successful startup exits and is a co-inventor on multiple VIA patents.

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Navigating the Clouds: Decoding FedRAMP with LaunchDarkly and Schellman | The Pair Program Ep49

In this episode of The Pair Program, we dive deep into the complexities of FedRAMP with two industry veterans who have navigated the process firsthand. Sara Mazer, Federal CTO at LaunchDarkly, and Nick Rundhaug, Managing Director at Schellman, join us to shed light on the FedRAMP authorization journey and offer valuable insights for companies seeking to achieve this prestigious certification.

FedRAMP, the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program, is a critical framework managed by the GSA’s Program Management Office that ensures cloud services meet stringent security requirements before working with the government. LaunchDarkly’s successful FedRAMP authorization is a testament to their commitment to security and compliance, and Sara Mazer, who led the charge from start to finish, shares her experience and the challenges faced along the way.

In this episode, Sara and Nick discuss:

• What FedRAMP is and why it's crucial for Cloud companies working with the government.
• LaunchDarkly’s journey through the FedRAMP process and Sara’s role as the first technical team member.
• Insights into Schellman’s role as a Third-Party Assessment Organization (3PAO) and their partnership with LaunchDarkly.
• Tips and advice for companies aiming to achieve FedRAMP certification, including common misconceptions and the importance of preparation.
• Strategies for successful FedRAMP navigation, including the need for agency sponsors and leveraging readiness assessments.

Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of FedRAMP, learn from the experts, and discover practical advice to help your organization achieve cloud security certification.

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