Gravitate

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community. Like the show? Support us at patreon.com/welchavenue Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community. Like the show? Support us at patreon.com/welchavenue Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community. Like the show? Support us at patreon.com/welchavenue Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an in-depth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community. Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Matt Patane, technology and innovation reporter for the Des Moines Register and Geoff Wood, community builder at Gravitate, sit down for an indepth discussion of the companies, events and ideas making news in the Iowa innovation community. Feedback, thoughts or suggestions? Hit us up on Twitter or email the show at mvp@gravitatedsm.com

Transcript: Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 75. Our guest today is Joe Benesh, an architect with Shive-Hattery and the CEO of The Ingenuity Company. Joe has helped us in design and planning at Gravitate and is doing great things for innovation in Iowa. Before we talk with Joe, a quick reminder that this is the perfect time to go to bit.ly/welchavenueitunes to leave a rating for our show. Even if you don't use iTunes to listen to the show, it is still the best place for new people to discover great shows and your ratings help them do that. Thanks in advance. Chris New: Now Geoff, that is all lower-cased, correct? Geoff Wood: It doesn't matter. Does it matter? Chris New: With bit.ly yes it does. Geoff Wood: All lower case. Chris New: So you learn something new today. Thank you. Geoff Wood: And now on episode 75 with Joe Benesh. Geoff Wood: Hi Joe how are you? Joe Benesh: Good Geoff. How are you? Geoff Wood: Good. We us

Transcript: Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 74. Today we're talking with Dustin Hemesath, founder of GolfRz, a company that builds mobile apps for golf courses. They're based out of our space here Gravitate. Hey, if you're enjoying the Welch Avenue Show, you can support us by sharing a post for this week's show on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn. We're always working to grow the audience for the show and sharing is super helpful in doing that. Thanks, guys. On to episode 74 with Dustin Hemesath. Hi, Dustin. How are you? Dustin Hemesath: Good. How are you? Geoff Wood: Not too bad. Thanks for being a spot, pinch hitter, I guess, today on the podcast. That's been good. Tell us a little bit about your company, GolfRz. You guys have 2 companies, I don't know how much you want to talk about. GolfRz, is that what we're talking about?  Dustin Hemesath: Yeah. We're talking about GolfRz.  Geoff Wood: Okay. Tell us what GolfRz is and what you guys are buildin

Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue show, episode number 73. We have two guests with us today, Jason McArtor and Zachary Kern of Farmboy, a Des Moines-based creative firm. Actually, the design team behind lots of things that you see locally, including the Powered by Fries food truck. We actually talk a lot about the design of a food truck on this one. Before we start the show, just a quick reminder that the Welch Avenue show is almost entirely funded by our listeners like you. Hello listeners, thank you for supporting the show. If you'd like to help out, just go to showtipjar.com to find out how. Now on to episode 73 with the guys from Farmboy. So the company name is Farmboy Inc., is that right? Jason McArtor: Right. We go by Farmboy typically. I kind of drop the Inc.  Geoff Wood: Farmboy. Okay.  Jason McArtor: The Inc.'s on the website just because I ... Zachary Kern: Farmboy.com was taken. Jason McArtor: It wasn't back when I first came up with the idea actually, but that was dumb not grabbing

Geoff Wood:    Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 72. Our guest today is David Spalding, Dean of the College of Business at Iowa State. I met David about a year ago when I gave a talk at a conference in Ames. He reached out afterwards to learn more about the startup community here in Iowa, something I'm always happy to talk about. Before we check in with David, a quick reminder that now is the perfect time to go to bit.ly/WelchAvenueitunes to leave a rating for our show. Even if you don't use iTunes to listen to the show, I'm using Overcast now, by the way, Chris. Chris New:    Very good. Geoff Wood:    iTunes is still the best place for new people to discover great shows and your ratings help us help them to do that. Thanks in advance. Now on to episode 72 with David Spalding. David, thanks for joining us today.This podcast, we really just talk to members of the state's entrepreneurial community about what they're working on. I think there'

Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 71. Today we’re joined by Brian Waller, President of the Technology Association of Iowa and a long time buddy of mine. We talk a bit in this episode about the Prometheus Awards, TAI’s big award show event, and that event has now happened. If you want to go back and check it out there is a livestream of the whole thing including pre-show and post-show red-carpet-like interview hosted by yours truly. Hey, if you’re enjoying the Welch Avenue Show do us a big favor and share the post for this week’s show on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, or  whatever social network you’re using these days. We’d love to grow the audience for the show and the sharing economy is a great way to get the word out. Thanks and enjoy episode 71 with Brian Waller Geoff:  What's the mission for TAI?  How do you usually say that? Brian:    The Technology Association of Iowa is really the premier professi

Transcript: Geoff:   Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 70 — now with new mics! Our guest today is Matt Patane, technology, innovation and economy reporter at the Des Moines Register. Matt took over the beat previously covered by Marco Santana last Fall and has been doing great work ever since. Quick reminder before we get to Matt that the Welch Avenue Show is almost entirely funding funded by our listeners like you. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us this far. If you’d like to contribute, you can do so on Patreon by going to showtipjar.com to find out how. Now on to episode 70 with Matt Patane. Geoff:    I'm still don't have a good handle onwhat everybody's doing at the Register in modern Register days. Matt:    "Newsroom of the Future" days. Geoff:    Yeah, not even modern. What's happening tomorrow?  Matt:    Yeah. Geoff:    That's what I want to know, the future. Mat

Transcript: Geoff Wood:    Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 69. Our guest today is the one and only Max Farrell, rapper, instigator and the co-founder of Create Reason. Max and his team worked inside of established companies to help with the corporate renovation process learning some of the better parts of the start-up experience inside those big walls. Before we check in with Max, I want to remind you that now is the perfect time to go to bit.ly/welchavenueitunes to leave a rating for our show. Even if you don't use iTunes to listen to the show, and I certainly don't, it's the best place for new people to discover great shows and your ratings help with that. Thanks in advance. On to episode 69 with Max Farrell.Max Farrell:    Are you live? I had so many other questions for you, Geoff. I guess we'll just save it for afterwards. Geoff Wood:    Talking about on the podcast. Don't ask me questions on the podcast. Scott Herren, I thi

Transcript:   Geoff Wood:    Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 68. Today we're joined by Levi Rosol, the co-founder of We Write Code, the former co-founder of handmade goods marketplace, Goodsmiths. Levi works from Gravitate and We Write Code works with startups, helping to augment their software development strategy and implementation. And if you're enjoying the Welch Avenue show, we want to remind you that you can do us a big favor by sharing the post for this week's show on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Meerkat, Periscope, or whatever social network is hot these days. We'd love to grow our audience for the show and you sharing is a great way to help us do that.   Thanks and enjoy episode 68 with Levi Rosol.   Geoff Wood:    Yeah, I thought it went really well. I didn't know a whole lot about Grassley other than he's been ...   Levi Rosol:    Dairy Queen.   Geoff Wood:    ...around forever, but what's that?   Levi

Transcript: Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 67. Our guest today is Nathan Wright, or as he's known on Twitter, Nathan T. Wright. Be sure not to confuse your Nathan Wrights online, folks. Nathan leads the digital market innovation group at one of Iowa's most well-known corporations, Hy-Vee. Nathan's also an illustrator, a former startup founder, and just started a newsletter, which you can find at tinyletter.com/nathantwright. Quick reminder that the Welch Avenue Show is almost entirely funded by our listeners like you. A huge thank you to everyone who supported us this far. If you'd like to contribute, just go to showtipjar.com to find out how. Now on to episode 67 with Nathan Wright. Geoff Wood: More than ever, I actually like make myself go to the bank and get a roll of quarters and just keep that … It's such a hassle. Chris New: See, I use the card. I've talked about this before, but card [crosstalk 00:00:56] is 

Transcript: Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 66. Today we talk with Derek Brooks of Modest, a mobile commerce company based in Chicago. Derek is a member of Gravitate and works from Des Moines. The core team and Modest, which includes Derek, all work together on the tech team for Obama for America in 2012. So we talked with Derek about what they they're doing now, what it was like to work on a campaign and how those 2 things have delved together. Speaking on building now, we're building an awesome audience for this podcast and we need your help in expanding it. A good way to do that is to go to bit.ly.welchavenueitunes and leave a rating for the show. Even if you don't use iTunes to listen to the show, most of us don't, it's still the best place for discovery and your ratings help that. Thanks in advance, and now on to episode 66 with Derek Brooks. Hey Derek, how are you? Derek Brooks: I'm great how are you. Geoff Wood: Not too bad. I think this is the

Transcript:   Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, Episode #65.   Our guest today is Shonna Dorsey, Co-founder of Interface, the web school in Omaha. Interface is part of a new movement in education that helps people looking to move into technical careers, often as a second opportunity.   Shonna was in Des Moines for some meetings to drop by Gravitate, and we're lucky to catch up with her about what she's doing on the show. The What's Happening Show is a mostly independent production that is funded by our listeners. Huge thank you to everyone who has supported us this far. If you would like to contribute, just go to showtipjar.com to find out how.   Thanks, and now on Episode 65 with Shonna Dorsey.    (Music)   Geoff Wood: Well, Shonna, thanks for coming over to Des Moines today.   Shonna Dorsey: Yeah.   Geoff Wood: Maybe just start by telling people who you are and what is it that you're building.   Shonna Dorsey: I'm Shonna Dorsey, with Interface We

Transcript: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 64. Today we’re joined by TJ Anderson, a health coach who focuses on the startup community. A few weeks ago TJ joined us at Gravitate for First Friday and did a bulletproof coffee demo — you know the coffee with grassfed butter and MCT Oil mixed in — it was a big hit.   Hey, if you’re enjoying the Welch Avenue Show do us a solid and share the post for this week’s show on Twitter, Facebook or whatever social network you’re using these days. We’d love to grow the audience for the show and the sharing economy is a great way to get the word out.   Thanks and enjoy episode 64 with TJ Anderson.   Geoff Wood:       Geoff Wood:    How are you doing today?   TJ Anderson:    Awesome. Geoff with a G.   Geoff Wood:    That is exactly. Since it's audio, we need to spell all of that stuff out.   TJ Anderson:    Amen.   Geoff Wood: &n

Transcript: Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode Number 63! Our guest today is Jake Kerber, the founder of “Pandora for local music”-startup Locusic. Before we talk to Jake, I want to remind you that this Sunday is the Iowa Hour at SXSW. It’s our state’s big showcase on the national stage that is that mega-SXSW conference in Austin. If you’ll be in Austin this weekend and you’re listening to this podcast, you are exactly the type of person that should come to the Iowa Hour — details are at iowahour.co. And now on to episode 63 with Jake Kerber! Geoff Wood: Jake, welcome back to the Welch Avenue Show. You’ve been on the show a couple of times, yes? Jake Kerber: Yup. Geoff Wood: Most recently in our state-of-the-now monster podcast with Ben McDougal. We talked a little bit about Locusic and what you’re building there. Jake Kerber: Yeah, a couple minutes. Geoff Wood: I want you to tell folks in gen

Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode number 62. Our guest today is Trip Edwards, a venture capitalist with Dallas Venture Partners, but based in West Des Moines. Trip is new to Iowa, and he brings with him experiences from places like Boulder, Dallas, and even China. Before we get into talking with Trip, two quick things: First, take a look at our Patreon campaign at patreon.com/welchavenue. That's the place where you can directly help support this show. You can pledge one dollar, or one penny — doesn't really matter, what does is your support. Second, we're working with Iowa Economic Development to help promote the Iowa Hour at South by Southwest. Check out the Iowa Hour at iowahour.co. This is our state’s showcase at the big festival in Austin next month, and we want all members of our startup community represented. Startups, service providers, and funders--you are all welcome to help co-host. Just click on "register to host" and fill in a short form. Thanks and e

Geoff Wood: Welcome to the Welch Avenue Show, episode Number 61! Our guest today is Kyle Doyle, who is @ D O Y L R L Z or “doyle rules” on Twitter for all you Billy Madison fans. Kyle is based in Des Moines but he’s really new to the startup scene. He’s fresh off an exit from his family’s business and he’s just starting to figue out what it is he wants to do next. So this conversation is a really fun look and some of the things going in our community with a set of really fresh eyes. Before we get to the episode, two things you can do to help the show. First, go to iowahour.co I O W A H O U R dot CO and register your Iowa-based startup for the big SXSW event on March 15. Whether you can be there or not, its important to register as a cohost organization to help us showcase our community on a national stage. If you are going to be there, RSVP for that, too, and I look forward to sharing a drink or two with you in Austin. Thanks to the Iowa Economic De