Technori
440 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 months ago - ★★★★★ - 30 ratingsScott Kitun is joined by a rotating cast of tech and internet celebrities to break down the latest in startups and venture capital.
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Episodes
Hatch CEO: ‘It's Okay to Make Mistakes. Don't Make Them Twice.’
July 02, 2019 16:18 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBCEO Jake Kiser joined Technori CEO Scott Kitun in the WGN Studio to talk about how building trust and loyalty has led to Hatch’s success. Hatch Loyalty offers a software solution for retailers to customize their loyalty programs. Retailers can monitor program performance in real-time and change it based on customer behavior.
Eventually You Could Get 5G From Your Neighbor and Cut Big Telecom Out
July 01, 2019 15:07 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBAmir Haleem, CEO of Helium sits down with Scott Kitun at WGN Radio. Building the world’s first peer-to-peer wireless network takes more than just brilliant engineering. It takes the confidence to know that people will think you’re crazy at first. Then if you’re lucky, they’ll take your innovations for granted. Helium aims to simplify connecting things like IoT devices and sensors by building a network of wireless operators. Companies like Lime, Nestle and Stay Alfred are already using the net...
How To Harness Data for Business Growth
June 28, 2019 05:00 - 39 minutes - 36.5 MBData collection used to be the kind of thing you’d only hear specialists discuss in a technical meeting. These days, it’s so mainstream — even your parents know a little about it. The question facing businesses is what to do with all of that information, once it is collected. CEO Kelly Manthey sits down with Scott to discuss how Solstice fits in as a solution.
The Company That Lets You Open Your Garage From Your Smartphone Wants to Keep Making It Easier
June 25, 2019 16:47 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBJeff Meredith, President and COO of Chamberlain Group, sits down with Scott Kitun at WGN Radio. For more than 40 years, the company has been a global leader in high-quality garage door openers and gate entry systems developing technologies like LiftMaster. They’re also pioneering the tech that lets the Amazon delivery guy easily and securely drop off your packages in your garage while you’re out.
5 Ways Monica + Andy Is Innovating How We Shop for Newborns and Kids
June 06, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 32.4 MBMonica + Andy CEO Monica Royer joins Scott, a soon-to-be-father, in-studio at WGN Radio. Monica, who began her career in the pharmaceutical industry, was a first-time entrepreneur and a mom searching for soft, safe baby clothes. Today, Chicago-based Monica + Andy is a bonafide lifestyle brand with six retail locations in Chicagoland, California and the East Coast.
Raise.com Helps You Never Waste a Gift Card Again
June 04, 2019 11:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBJay Klauminzer, CEO of Raise, sits down with Scott Kitun at WGN Radio. In its early days, Raise functioned as a gift card marketplace for the many, many people “who have lots of unused gift cards sitting in their desk drawer.” Raise.com was a place to get rid of them. Under Jay’s leadership, Raise shifted its model to prioritize “direct relationships” with over 500 retail partners. Together, they partner to sell gift cards directly to customers.
Fairygodboss Reinvents The Employment Site with a Female-Centric Mission
May 30, 2019 17:45 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBGeorge Huang, CEO of Fairygodboss, calls-in to chat with Scott on WGN Radio. Fairygodboss offers job listings, employer profiles, anonymous employee reviews and a daily feed where users can post either anonymously or under their real names. Today, the platform is the largest online career community for women (though male allies are welcome too).
CEO/Investor Ravin Gandhi: ‘The Ability to Sell is Like Oxygen’
May 29, 2019 16:35 - 40 minutes - 37.3 MBThis episode is sponsored by MBRE
The ‘Airbnb for Farmland’ Helps Landowners Monetize Their Farm
May 28, 2019 15:39 - 26 minutes - 36 MBCorbett Kull, CEO of Tillable, joins Scott in-studio to talk about how he's aiming to revolutionize the use of farmland. Coined as the Airbnb of farmland, Tillable is a digital network that connects landowners with farmers. Through his platform, families who own farmland can better utilize and monetize their land without the use of a big corporation, become better landowners and improve the return on their investment.
These Smoothies On-The-Go (No Blender Cleanup!) Could Be Coming To a Gym Near You
May 24, 2019 15:48 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBCo-founders Tom Zhang and Stephanie Mellinger from Zenblen, an automated smoothie-making kiosk, talk with Scott Kitun at WGN Radio. The company is in its early stages, but you can already taste test their creations at gyms, coworking spaces and networking events around the city.
Lulafit Is Bringing a High-End Wellness Experience to Your Door
May 23, 2019 11:00 - 43 minutes - 98.6 MBColleen Werner, CEO of Lulafit, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to talk about how she aims to make health and wellness easy, even when life gets busy. As a wellness amenities management service, LulaFit partners with commercial offices and luxury residential buildings to manage the common spaces that typically go underutilized — including fitness centers and spas.Their wellness services range from diet and exercise to stress, sleep, and ergonomics.
Chi Wellness Challenge check-in with Factor75 Founder Mike Apostal and Listen Ventures MD Jeff Cantalupo
May 22, 2019 17:39 - 35 minutes - 41.2 MBIt's week three of the #ChiWellnessChallenge, a challenge designed to make entrepreneurs and founders take stock of their well-being and pursue a six-week goal to better themselves whether it be focus, eating, exercise, weight loss or sleep. In-studio Scott talks to challenge participants Pete Wilkins, Managing Director of Hyde Park Angels, Mike Apostal, founder of Factor75 and Jeff Cantalupo, Managing Director of Listen Ventures.
UPShow Gives Businesses the Power To Create Their Own Netflix
May 20, 2019 16:45 - 34 minutes - 78.4 MBMatt Gibbs, CMO of UPshow, joins Scott in-studio at WGN Radio in the heart of downtown Chicago. UPshow wants to change your relationship with screen time and content engagement. Whether your patrons sit at the doctor's office or at a bar, UPshow has the ability to offer customizable and marketable content inside your place of business. Listen to Matt talk about how the company has evolved since its founding three years ago.
Utilizing Mixed Reality for a Futuristic Shopping Experience
May 14, 2019 16:09 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBHeather Baker, VP of talent at InContext Solutions, and Joe Wegreke, Director of human capital consulting at TriNet, join Scott in-studio at WGN Radio in downtown Chicago to discuss mixed reality and human resource services.
Supercharging the Gig Economy, the Future of Employment
May 13, 2019 19:20 - 36 minutes - 41.4 MBRick Bowman, CEO of Shiftgig, joins Scott in-studio at WGN Radio in the heart of downtown Chicago. The gig economy is the best place to find experts in any field, and the popular form of employment will soon rival the traditional methods of hiring.
The Organic Sparkling Water Startup That Uses Flower Power
May 08, 2019 15:09 - 26 minutes - 36.5 MBCandice Crane, founder & CEO of Petal, joins Scott in-studio at WGN Radio in the heart of downtown Chicago. Her startup, which launched in 2017, uses flowers and other botanicals to create a tasty, no-caffeine, little-sugar, sparkling drink. A look into how she came up with an idea she knew would be a good fit for its market.
Take the Guesswork Out of Business Problems With ‘Person-Level Data’
May 06, 2019 19:45 - 36 minutes - 50.4 MBSulabh Agarwal, CTO of Civis Analytics, joins Scott in-studio at WGN Radio in the heart of downtown Chicago. Person-level data is the new sliced bread of the analytics world, and you'll want to become familiar with it.
Get Connected With Local Resources to Help Improve Your Finances
May 01, 2019 20:38 - 37 minutes - 34 MBRochelle Nawrocki Gorey, CEO and co-founder of SpringFour, joins Scott in-studio in downtown Chicago. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
No More Social Media FOMO: The Best App to Anonymously Share Your Opinion
April 30, 2019 19:12 - 42 minutes - 58.4 MBKaben Clauson, founder & CEO of TruePublic, joins Scott in-studio at WGN Radio in downtown Chicago to share an update of his app. TruePublic is a survey app that acquires anonymous data and shares it with the world. Male, female, white, green, each topical survey question provides different results, and the anonymity ensures everyone has an equal voice. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
This 91-Year-Old Insurance Giant Stays Young with Smart Acquisitions and Ambitious Investments
April 25, 2019 15:02 - 38 minutes - 52.5 MBRyan Rist, the Director of Innovation for American Family, stopped by the WGN Studio in downtown Chicago to talk about how insurance can innovate, the challenges for would-be industry disruptors, and how American Family has changed up the way it does things. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
A Home Gym With Video instructors: Innovating the Recent Fitness Craze
April 24, 2019 14:50 - 24 minutes - 56.1 MBAly Orady, CEO & founder of Tonal, joins Scott on WGN Radio to talk about how his company has made an impact in the "home gym" world among big names like Bowflex and Peloton. Struggling with weight since childhood, Aly decided to fix his problem on his own. Listen to Scott and Aly shoot the crap and look deep behind the scenes. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
Capture Your Products at Every Angle to Show Buyers Your Best
April 23, 2019 12:42 - 39 minutes - 54.5 MBJeff Hunt, CEO of Snap36, joins Scott in-studio at WGN Radio in Chicago to tell his startup story. Jeff, having worked in the tech industry for 30 years, has made product content a thing of ease. Listen in to find out how he managed to stay in the game for so long, and how he still created something groundbreaking so late in the game. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
Milwaukee is the New New Midwestern Tech Hub
April 17, 2019 18:55 - 49 minutes - 113 MBJames Hischke, Senior Director of Tech Advancement and Outreach at Northwestern Mutual in Milwaukee, joins Scott Kitun in-studio at WGN Radio right in downtown Chicago. Milwaukee is often referred to as Chicago's younger sibling, but its quickly making a case to be a serious contender for "tech hub of the Midwest." A little friendly competition never hurt anybody, right?
Easy Estate Planning for a Generation That's Not Thinking About It
April 16, 2019 15:48 - 33 minutes - 45.5 MBCody Barbo, co-founder of Trust & Will, joins Scott on WGN Radio to talk about life after death. Not the afterlife, but the legacy we leave behind when we pass. As a younger generation, Millennials don't even think about passing away. Cody's company Trust & Will will help with that. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
Get Paid to Find an Apartment: Rentgrata's Continued Success in Chicago
April 10, 2019 21:33 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBZach Sloan, co-founder & CFO of Rentgrata, joins Scott Kitun in-studio at WGN Radio to give us an update on his get-paid-to-live apartment hunting platform. A Technori favorite, this episode is brought to you by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
Technori and Founder Institute: A Free Spot in the Startup Launch Program
April 10, 2019 20:11 - 32 minutes - 74.6 MBThe Founder Institute and Technori are partnering up to offer one founder a free place on the Institute's world-renown startup launch program. This is a $999 value that can be yours if you just apply here -> https://fi.co/join/Technori
Make Your Own Herb-Infused Oils (Yes, THAT Kind of Herb)
April 09, 2019 20:44 - 26 minutes - 59.7 MBChrissy Bellman, founder & CEO of LEVO Oil Infusion, joins Scott on the phone from Denver, Colorado. Her LEVO machine has been deemed the KitchenAid of cannabis by Forbes, and it's easy to see why. Herb-infused oils without the mess or the stench. Listen to learn more!
Cybersecurity Cheaper Than Netflix: Now There's no Excuse to be Unprotected
April 09, 2019 13:08 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBDarren Guccione, CEO & co-founder of Keeper Security, joins Scott Kitun in-studio at WGN Radio right in the heart of downtown Chicago. Keeper Security offers protection for under $5 a month, and Darren is here to hammer in the importance of protection for businesses.
3D Printing Since 11, Ethan Baehrand Made a Business Out of His Passion
April 08, 2019 18:11 - 28 minutes - 66.1 MBEthan Baehrand, CEO of Creative 3D Technologies, joins Scott Kitun in-studio at WGN Radio in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Quevos Egg White Chips Are Your New High-Protein Guilt-Free Snack
April 03, 2019 19:44 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MBNick Hamburger, co-founder of Quevos, joins host Scott Kitun in-studio at WGN Radio in Chicago. Nick, a 21-year-old entrepreneur, has found a way to sell the crispy remains of a fried egg with a twist. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MR Real Estate.
Blueprint Bridges the Gap Between Doctors and Patients — All Through Your Smartphone
April 03, 2019 12:51 - 29 minutes - 26.9 MBDanny Freed, founder & CEO of Blueprint, joins host Scott Kitun in-studio at WGN Radio.
Genuity Shakes up IT Management Pricing Models, Helping Small Businesses Afford Enterprise-Level Tools
April 01, 2019 15:35 - 33 minutes - 31 MBColum Donahue, co-founder & CEO of Genuity, joins Scott in-studio at WGN Radio.
S2 Brands is Redefining How We Grieve and Memorialize Our Loved Ones
March 27, 2019 17:58 - 27 minutes - 25.7 MBMichael Schimmel, founder & CEO of S2 Brands, joins Scott in-studio at WGN. S2 Brands embraces transparency to make death and the grieving process more manageable without sacrificing appropriateness or appreciation. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
Farmer’s Fridge Gives You Fresh, Restaurant-Quality Eats From a Vending Machine
March 26, 2019 12:27 - 32 minutes - 30.4 MBLuke Saunders, founder & CEO of Farmer's Fridge, joins Scott in-studio at WGN once again to give an update on his innovative "fresh food vending machine" invention. Farmer's Fridge machines are all over Chicago, but we don't think it'll be long until they're all over America.
Ensono Provides IT Solutions for Today and Watches Your Back for Tomorrow
March 20, 2019 19:58 - 34 minutes - 32.1 MBJeff VonDeylen, CEO of Ensono, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to address a giant concern for all startups: IT. Ensono delivers solutions in a way that has helped them expand to meet the demands of their clients. This episode is brought to you by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
Let MBX Handle Your Startup's Manufacturing and Hardware Logistics
March 18, 2019 22:29 - 28 minutes - 26 MBChris Tucker, president of MBX Systems, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to talk about helping startups using software. MBX doesn't just focus on logistics or inventory, they focus on strictly game-changing tech. This episode is sponsored by MB Real Estate and Bank of America.
From Two Guys to $100M: Six Scaling Tips From BenchPrep
March 13, 2019 20:46 - 39 minutes - 36 MBAshish Rangnekar, co-founder of BenchPrep, joins Scott in-studio to talk about lifelong learning. An online learning platform that helps students prepare for standardized tests, BenchPrep is something Scott wishes he had in school. Not that it would've helped much, but still.
With a Shift to Apparel, The Tie Bar Helps Millennial Guys Find a Perfect Fit
March 11, 2019 23:45 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBAllyson Lewis, The Tie Bar CEO, joins Scott in-studio at WGN once again to give him an update on their expansion and success around Chicago. Offering trendy menswear for insane prices will do that for you!
Be Your Own Broker With Abode HQ's Real Estate Platform
March 06, 2019 18:16 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBKyle Stoner, founder and CEO of Abode Technologies, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to talk about how easy real estate should be. Abode uses machine learning to match home buyers with top real estate professionals such as realtors, bankers, and contractors. Listen to learn more!
Three Lessons in Scaling From Lightstream, Your Next Streaming Studio
March 04, 2019 23:58 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBStu Grubbs and Jenny Farver, CEO and CTO of Lightstream respectively, join Scott in-studio to give listeners a look at how companies plan expansion. Lightstream went from 4 co-founders, to (now) 23 members, and the number is only going to get bigger.
2ndKitchen Serves Food to Your Office From Nearby Restaurants and Bars
February 28, 2019 14:26 - 25 minutes - 23.6 MBNick Anastasiades, co-founder & CEO of 2ndKitchen, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to talk food. 2ndKitchen lets restaurants and bars deliver straight to customers with no cost to them. Find out exactly how they work in this episode of the Technori podcast.
Crafty Makes Sure Your Office Has Your Favorite Snacks and Beer
February 25, 2019 23:00 - 41 minutes - 38.1 MBIshan Daya, co-founder of Crafty, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to jaw about food, and how employers try and fail to give their workers a satisfying lunch option. Crafty provides the chips, the coffee, the sandwiches, the beer... almost anything you could want during the work day.
Teaching One Billion Kids How to Code: That's What Codeverse is Going to Do
February 18, 2019 23:28 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBKaty Lynch, co-founder and CMO of Codeverse, joins Scott in-studio for the hundredth time to give an update on how well Codeverse is doing. Since they were last in our studio, they've built more brick-and-mortar locations and are planning to expand even more! Listen to our latest episode to hear the newest developments with the program that will teach one billion children how to code, program, and innovate.
Hire without borders, and avoid all the hassle using Envoy Global
February 13, 2019 20:17 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MBDick Burke, president & CEO of Envoy Global, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to talk about what makes the best kind of team. If you really do want the BEST, then you have to consider hiring from around the world. Envoy Global will help you with that and all the red tape you'll no doubt encounter.
Aegis AI's Camera Software Can Detect a Gun and Notify the Police Instantly
February 12, 2019 13:34 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MBAegis AI's founders Sonny Tai and Ben Ziomek join Scott in-studio at WGN to talk about their gun-detection software. Sonny has a mission in life to make the world safer one gun at a time, and his ideation reflects that. Company is now called Actuate.
Attest is Going to Help You Digitize Your Personal Identity Using Blockchain
February 06, 2019 21:04 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBJennifer O'Rourke, co-founder & president of Attest, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to talk about how the future of blockchain will help shape our online identities more than you realize. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
ActiveCampaign Serves Up Big Marketing Solutions for Small Businesses
February 05, 2019 12:55 - 41 minutes - 38.2 MBJason VandeBoom, founder & CEO of ActiveCampaign, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to talk about the advantage his CRM has over others such as Salesforce, MailChimp, and HubSpot. If you listen, you can get almost TWO months of ActiveCampaign for absolutely FREE! The first two weeks are already free with a trial, but Technori can get you more. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
Orbitz Founder Jeff Katz Disrupts Travel Again with New Startup Journera
January 31, 2019 15:31 - 28 minutes - 26 MBJeff Katz, founder & CEO of Journera and original founder of Orbitz, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to share his insights on how travel companies can (and should) use data to connect and provide accommodating options to consumers. For travelers, it's not about the hotel you stay at, it's about the entire journey. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.
How Sittercity started with zero funding and ended up at the top of Chicago's business ladder
January 29, 2019 14:17 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBElizabeth Harz, CEO of Sittercity, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to share her classic bootstrapping story about how her on-demand babysitting company went from rags to riches (metaphorically speaking!). Everyone compares simple, accessible, quick-response programs to Uber, when instead they should be comparing them to SitterCity.
Startup Peanut Butter Helps Employers Offer Student Loan Repayment As a Benefit
January 24, 2019 13:09 - 33 minutes - 30.4 MBDavid Aronson, founder and CEO of Peanut Butter, joins Scott in-studio at WGN to give him the dark truth about student loans in the US. The total student loan debt has reached $1.5 trillion, and has become the nation's largest financial asset. This episode is sponsored by Bank of America and MB Real Estate.