10-Minute Tech Talks: How Tech Entrepreneurs Fail & How You Can Avoid It

What does it really take to build a company that clients trust when the stakes are sky-high? In this first episode of Growth Code: How to Crack the Inc. 5000, Jonathan Kersting talks with Dan Desko, Founder of Echelon Risk + Cyber, about the first value that helped power Echelon's rise to number 433 on the Inc. 5000: being truly client-centric. Dan explains why Echelon does not think in terms of "customers," but instead builds real client relationships rooted in trust, urgency and service. He also digs into why cybersecurity is a team sport, especially when companies are facing sophisticated threats and need partners who will show up fast. Listen to this episode for a practical reminder that growth does not start with a sales pitch. It starts with building relationships that can withstand pressure. Watch Dan's entire TechVibe interview here. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

What if the next great engineer, roboticist or AI innovator is already here in Pittsburgh, but just hasn't been discovered yet? On this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, we're featuring Damola and Wole Idowu of TOYZ Electronics, a Pittsburgh-based company blending AI, gaming, storytelling and STEAM education to help students see new futures for themselves. This clip, ripped from TechVibe, gets right to the heart of what makes TOYZ so compelling. Wole talks about being the "alpha test" for the platform, while Damola lays out why this work matters for our innovation economy. It's about finding raw talent, building pathways and making sure more people are ready to create in the Intelligence Age. TOYZ Electronics is working to scale a platform that connects students to AI, gaming, digital twins, robotics, storytelling and real career pathways. And as you'll hear, this is not theory. They are already working with students, building traction and looking for partners who want to help us unlock more of our talent. You can hear the full conversation on TechVibe. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

On this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, we're diving into the fast-moving, slightly chaotic and very real world of AI and cybersecurity with Isabelle Syring and Robert Ragan of CUSTOS IQ. Everyone is using AI. Employees are testing tools. Teams are dropping company data into large language models. Copilot, ChatGPT and browser-based AI tools are showing up inside workflows before policies, security controls or legal guardrails have had a chance to catch up. That's where CUSTOS IQ comes in. In this quick cut from TechVibe Radio, Isabelle and Rob explain why AI is not just an IT issue. It is a business-risk issue, a data-governance issue and, in industries like energy and manufacturing, potentially a critical infrastructure issue. The big takeaway: AI can absolutely be a powerful tool, but it needs policies, oversight, secure data practices and experienced people asking the right questions. Whether you're using it to write emails or support predictive maintenance in critical infrastructure, the same rule applies: don't let the machine outrun your judgment. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

What makes a company worth buying? Most people think it's revenue. Or technology. Or market share. But after spending more than 30 years building Pittsburgh-based engineering firm IQ Inc., founder Barbara VanKirk believes the answer starts somewhere else entirely: People. In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, you'll hear how VanKirk built a company culture around growth, curiosity, and leadership—and why those values ultimately attracted a global acquisition from Critical Software. You'll also hear her candid reflections on being one of the only women in engineering rooms early in her career—and why confidence and belonging still matter in tech today. If you're building a company or building yourself as a leader, this conversation delivers a few lessons worth stealing. Listen VanKirk's entire interview right here. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

What happens when you stop treating technology like overhead and start using it to give people their time back? In this episode, we talk with Monica Fletcher of Auberle, a nonprofit leader who's thinking like a startup operator. She's finding friction, digitizing clunky processes, using data to make smarter decisions, and rolling out AI in a way that supports people instead of replacing them. A few takeaways to listen for: why "tech first" does not mean "tech only" how to spot friction points that are quietly draining your team why the best use of AI might be giving your people more time for the work only humans can do Even though Monica works in human services, the lessons here travel really well for founders, managers, and anyone trying to build a smarter, more efficient organization. Watch her entire Fireside Chat interview here. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

What if the biggest breakthrough in robotics is not the robot itself, but the time you save building it? In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, we sit down with Bob Raida and Dave Rollinson of HEBI Robotics and they explain how modular design can help engineers move faster, cut development friction, and avoid reinventing the wheel, while also showing how that same approach is opening doors for applications in industry and even space. This is a great lesson for entrepreneurs: the value of your product is not always just what it does, but how much friction it removes for the people using it. Hebi's approach is a reminder that saving time, reducing complexity, and building with confidence can be a real competitive edge. Watch the entire interview with HEBI right here. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

How do you build a business that can stand the test of time and keep your soul intact? In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, Lou Camerlengo of fivestar* shares the kind of hard-earned insight entrepreneurs rarely get from a playbook. Rather than chasing growth for growth's sake, Lou explains how fivestar* has stayed relevant by building deep client relationships, staying adaptable, and creating a company that is truly "built to evolve." You'll hear why long-term partnerships matter more than quick wins, how staying close to customers can shape smarter strategy, and why culture and flexibility are essential for lasting success. For entrepreneurs trying to grow without losing their edge, this conversation delivers practical lessons you can put to work right away. 3 key takeaways Long-term client relationships beat short-term wins Sustainable growth often comes from trust, service, and becoming a real partner. The best companies stay built to evolve Markets shift, customer needs change, and durable businesses adapt without losing their identity. Staying close to the customer is a competitive advantage Small, smart, responsive teams can punch far above their weight when they listen well and move with purpose. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious. Keywords

Pittsburgh is often called a comeback city. But Woolpert CEO Neil Churman sees something deeper. As discovered in his Techvibe interview, Neil believes the same industrial DNA that built America's steel industry is now powering the region's rise in AI, robotics, and infrastructure technology. In this short conversation, Neil shares a personal story about his great-grandfather working in the steel mills — and why that legacy still shapes the future of innovation." Woolpert is a global architecture, engineering, and geospatial technology firm that uses advanced tools like AI, lidar, and digital twins to design infrastructure, map the world, and help organizations build and manage everything from airports and pipelines to data centers and smart cities. Be sure to listen to the full TechVibe interview where we dive deeper into AI, infrastructure, and the companies helping build the next generation of technology. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

Are you building technology or are you building results? In this episode, you are going to hear why some leaders believe AI has been massively overhyped and massively undersold all at the same time. And why? The companies that win aren't just chasing trends. They are chasing outcomes. Pittsburgh Technology Council CEO Audrey Russo interviewed Jonathan Jungk of Palantir and Chris Johnson of TeleTracking Technologies at the Pittsburgh Tech Council's 2026 Think!AI Summit to get their insights. So if you care about growth, revenue, and real impact, this one is for you. Hit PLAY and listen right now. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

What does it really take to scale a startup when early traction turns into real momentum? In this episode of 10 Minute Tech Talks, Jonathan Kersting of the Pittsburgh Technology Council and TechVibe Radio breaks down a powerful segment from his TechVibe interview with Wendy McSparren and John Mihalik, co-founders of Admirra, a fast-growing mental health technology startup. You'll learn how they: Scaled from early customers to national growth Built a strong startup team without losing focus Kept their SaaS product simple and competitive Used customer feedback to guide development Prepared their company and infrastructure for long-term success This episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and business leaders who want to grow smarter, not just faster. After listening, check out the full TechVibe interview to hear Wendy and John's complete story, including their origin, partnership, and mission to expand access to mental health care through technology. If you're building, scaling, or planning your next move, this episode is for you. Subscribe, follow, and keep learning with 10 Minute Tech Talks.

What you're about to hear isn't just a conversation about healthcare. It's a masterclass in how modern organizations use technology to scale expertise, reduce friction, and make better decisions at speed. In this episode, we excerpted a segment from the Pittsburgh Technology Council's Health Care Reinvented Podcast featuring Highmark leaders Maria Baker and Mari Vandenburg as they talk about how artificial intelligence and predictive analytics are transforming healthcare by synthesizing massive amounts of data and turning it into clear, actionable insights for clinicians. For entrepreneurs, the parallels are immediate. This is about using AI to give experts superpowers, eliminating low-value work, and designing systems that surface the next best action instead of overwhelming people with dashboards and noise. If you're building a company, leading a team, or thinking about how AI actually creates value beyond the buzzwords, this clip offers real-world lessons from one of the most complex industries on the planet. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

You're building something. You're moving fast. And at some point, the code starts slowing you down. Today's 10 Minute Tech Talks is for founders and entrepreneurs who are doing some of their own development and wondering if there's a smarter way to build without reinventing every wheel. Greg Lutz from Mescius, a Pittsburgh-based company that's been helping developers save time for more than two decades, joins Host Jonathan Kersting to detail Code Clinic. Greg breaks down Code Clinic, a free, approachable learning resource designed to help developers solve real problems, learn faster, and ship better software, without needing to be an expert on day one. If you've ever thought, "There has to be a better way to do this," this one's for you. And check out Code Clinic at https://developer.mescius.com/codeclinic In our next 10 Minute Tech Talks, we'll go deeper with Greg into how AI fits into this picture, where it helps, where it falls short, and why real development tools still matter more than ever. Stay tuned. Produced by the Pittsburgh Technology Council, this is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.

What if the thing you're most proud of building… is the thing holding your business back? Today on 10 Minute Tech Talks, we're digging into a moment every tech entrepreneur eventually faces. You've got momentum, a smart team, and something that looks polished and impressive, until you realize it doesn't actually solve the problem. Host Jonathan Kersting interviewed serial entrepreneur David Radin of ConfirmedApp.com on the Pittsburgh Technology Council's TechVibe Radio Show to pull back the curtain on why David's team walked away from months of work, scrapped a "good" idea, and made the hard call most founders avoid. If you've ever wondered whether you're building a real product or just a shiny feature, this episode is for you. Here's the takeaway. The hardest part of being a tech entrepreneur isn't building. It's knowing what not to build. In our next episode, David takes this lesson one step further and shows how a real-world frustration at networking events sparked an entirely new product idea. One rooted in human behavior, not hype. Because once you kill the wrong idea, you finally make room for the right one. Listen to the entire interview here. This is a podcast for tech and manufacturing entrepreneurs exploring the tech ecosystem, from cyber security and AI to SaaS, robotics, and life sciences, featuring insights to satisfy the tech curious.