Philly Tech Connect by Philadelphia Tech Entrepreneurs

Future Proofing Small Biz with Automation & Tech Insights

Whitney Akinola shares her journey from a career in software engineering to founding Future Proof, a consulting firm focused on helping businesses adapt through automation and tech integration. Discussing the challenges and excitement of entrepreneurship, she emphasizes the importance of embracing technology to future-proof small businesses.
 
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:00 - A journey from layoff to entrepreneurship00:02:30 - The inspiration behind FutureProof00:04:20 - Early dreams of entrepreneurship00:06:05 - Embracing technology without fear00:07:50 - Automation for small businesses00:09:35 - Finding the right niche or staying flexible00:12:15 - Next steps and services for FutureProof00:13:45 - How to connect with FutureProof
 
🔸 Connect with the guest:Whitney’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitneyakinola/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
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🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Building a Resilient Software Business with Bill Evans

🎧 Welcome to Episode 52 of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! This week, we’re excited to host Bill Evans, a driven entrepreneur and founder of Liberty Fox Technologies.
🔹 About This Episode:Bill shares his inspiring journey from an unexpected layoff to creating a successful software consulting company in Philadelphia. Dive into his experiences building resilient teams, tackling challenging software projects, and finding fulfillment in each client’s unique vision.
🔸 In This Episode, You'll Discover:
How Bill navigated career uncertainty to launch a thriving businessInsights on custom software development and leading a dynamic teamBill's passion for muscle cars and discovering Philly’s unique dining scene🔹 Why Listen?Whether you’re a developer, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, Bill’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the drive to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world.
🔸 Connect with Bill:Website: https://libertyfoxtech.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-evans
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is a thriving hub of innovation and connection. Join us at our meetups and workshops to network, learn, and be inspired! 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWwLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/
👍 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more amazing stories from Philly's tech scene!
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Unlocking continuous art royalties with blockchain

In this episode, Francesca Augustine, founder of Neftwork, discusses the intersection of art and blockchain technology, exploring how her platform leverages blockchain to ensure continuous royalties for artists and increase transparency in the art world. She shares insights into how tokenization can revolutionize the art market, providing security, ownership, and new revenue models for creators while addressing common concerns around blockchain’s complexity and adoption.
 
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Welcome to Philly Tech Connect00:00:47 - Exploring Philly’s art community00:01:28 - Art’s financial support challenge in Philly00:02:40 - Francesca’s journey into art tech00:04:57 - Continuous royalties for artists00:06:13 - Blockchain beyond cryptocurrency00:07:43 - Decentralization and security explained00:11:36 - Tokenization in the art world00:12:29 - Overcoming challenges in blockchain adoption00:14:37 - The Amazon moment for blockchain and art
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:Francesca’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-augustine/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Streamlining Healthcare: Sandeep Banga on AI’s Role

In this episode, Sandeep Banga, the founder of Scribble, discusses how his AI-powered clinician assistant is designed to reduce the workload for home health nurses by automating documentation processes. He also shares insights on the challenges of balancing innovation with data security and compliance in the healthcare industry, while highlighting Scribble’s long-term goal of improving clinician work-life balance and patient care quality.
📌 Timestamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:01:16 - Sandeep Banga’s journey and Scribble’s mission
00:02:26 - The AI-powered clinician assistant explained
00:03:02 - Innovation in speech-to-text technology
00:04:55 - Challenges faced by home health nurses
00:06:07 - Addressing AI criticism and job concerns
00:07:07 - Shifting focus to a new venture: G-Edge to Scribble
00:08:21 - Managing multiple ventures and team dynamics
00:10:18 - Beta launch and SaaS subscription model plans
00:12:07 - Navigating data security and HIPAA compliance
🔸 Connect with the guests:
Sandeep’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandeepbanga/
🔹 Join Our Community:
Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e... Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media. Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com
#PhillyTechConnect #StartupChallenges #EntrepreneurialJourney #TechInnovation #Philadelphia

Reviving local spots: Inside the Fynd platform

In this episode, Max Thalheimer, the founder of Fynd, shares how his platform began as a pandemic project aimed at helping local bars and restaurants promote their events. He also discusses the challenges of being a startup founder, the supportive nature of the Philadelphia startup community, and the upcoming enhancements to Fynd, including a new web platform and premium membership.
 
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:17 - Meet Max and the story of Fynd00:01:31 - Fynd: born during the pandemic00:03:37 - Challenges for local bars and restaurants00:05:23 - Managing a startup’s day-to-day00:07:15 - Positive surprises in the startup ecosystem00:08:52 - Comparing Boston and Philly’s startup scenes00:10:02 - Leadership and team building at Fynd00:11:42 - Upcoming product enhancements00:13:42 - How to connect with Max and Fynd
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:Max’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-thalheimer/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
#PhillyTechConnect #StartupChallenges #EntrepreneurialJourney #TechInnovation #Philadelphia

Startup Investors Lab: From pitch to investment

In this episode, Randy Fisher, founder of Startup Investors Lab, discusses how his platform supports early-stage startups by providing mentorship, business model advice, and preparing them for investor pitches. He emphasizes the importance of ongoing customer discovery and refining the business model to improve a startup’s chances of attracting investment and scaling successfully.
 
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:10 - Bridging the gap between startups and investors00:02:27 - Importance of refining the business model00:03:26 - Preparing startups for investor pitches00:06:57 - The power of customer discovery00:08:09 - Validating assumptions through customer feedback00:11:27 - Startup Investors Lab’s milestones and events00:13:10 - Lessons learned from mentoring startups00:18:21 - Where to find Randy and Startup Investors Lab
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:Randy’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyshawnfisher/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
#PhillyTechConnect #StartupChallenges #EntrepreneurialJourney #TechInnovation #Philadelphia
 

Legal services for the 75%

In this episode, Taher Hassonjee, CEO of DocDraft, discusses how his company simplifies the legal document creation process using automation, providing affordable solutions for both individuals and small law firms. He shares insights into transitioning from RVShare to legal tech and explains DocDraft’s role in democratizing access to legal services by connecting clients with attorneys in a streamlined marketplace.
 
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:04 - From RVShare to legal tech: Taher’s journey00:03:44 - Making legal document creation easier with DocDraft00:04:14 - How DocDraft supports both attorneys and clients00:05:46 - Affordable legal solutions: DocDraft’s $10/month model00:08:11 - Taher’s legal background and inspiration for DocDraft00:08:52 - Upcoming features: expanding DocDraft’s capabilities00:09:55 - Pivoting from law firms to individual consumers00:11:13 - Where to connect with Taher Hassonjee and DocDraft
 
🔸 Connect with the guests:Taher’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taherhassonjee/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Engineering a new era for Biopharma

In this episode of the Philly Tech Connect podcast, Dave converses with Simone Ammons, founder of QuneUp. Simone shares her journey from chemical engineering to creating a solution for reducing equipment downtime in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. They discuss the inception of QuneUp during the pandemic, its technological underpinnings, and the challenges Simone faces as an entrepreneur in a post-pandemic world.
📌 Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:48 Simone's Background and Career Journey02:16 The Birth of QuneUp03:06 Challenges and Solutions in Manufacturing04:41 Entrepreneurial Leap and COVID Impact08:31 Building and Growing the Business10:00 Team Dynamics and Learning Experiences12:12 Conclusion and Contact Information
🔸 Connect with the guests:Simone’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simone-george-ammons-engineer/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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Overcoming fear and embracing freelance work

In this episode, Denny Bohs shares his journey from working in financial services to founding Bohs LLC, discussing the challenges and lessons he encountered while transitioning from a corporate career to full-time contract work. He highlights the importance of overcoming fears around freelancing, understanding the hidden costs of running a business, and finding the right cultural fit in both contract and full-time roles.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introduction to Denny Bohs00:00:55 - From financial services to tech00:02:04 - The leap to full-time with Bohs LLC00:02:26 - Overcoming the fear of contract work00:03:25 - The realities of at-will employment00:05:01 - Learning the hard way: taxes and contracts00:06:46 - Navigating the freelance marketplaces00:07:18 - The hidden costs of entrepreneurship00:10:51 - What’s next for Denny?00:13:10 - Finding the right fit: culture and values
🔸 Connect with the guests:Denny’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennybohs/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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The Secret to Striking Balance as a Founder

Russ Starke, CEO of Think Company, joins Dave to discuss the evolution of digital solutions, the impact of AI on human experiences, and the importance of engaging with differing opinions for societal improvement. Russ emphasizes a human-centric approach in both business and technology, sharing insights on leadership, community involvement, and the balance between technological advancement and preserving human creativity.
📌 Timestamps:00:00:00 - Introducing Russ Starke00:00:41 - Russ’s early digital solutions00:01:19 - Evolution of internet solutions00:03:54 - Transition to CEO00:06:53 - Managing with a human touch00:08:53 - Volunteering and community involvement00:09:50 - Navigating the AI landscape00:11:58 - Importance of open dialogue00:16:58 - Connecting with Russ
🔸 Connect with the guests:Russ’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russstarke/
🔹 Join Our Community:Philly Tech Connect is more than just a podcast. It's a hub for innovation and connection. Join us for monthly meetups and workshops to engage with like-minded tech enthusiasts and expand your network. 🤝
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-e...Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechen...LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 
👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more insightful stories and expert advice straight from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene.
🎬 This content was produced and edited by Lifetime Value Media.Learn more at: https://www.lifetimevaluemedia.com 
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