Dan Roark is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and active angel investor with decades of experience building, scaling, and leading technology companies across healthcare, life sciences, and industrial automation.In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, Dan shares his journey to becoming CEO of Gestalt Diagnostics, a digital pathology and AI diagnostics company improving cancer detection and clinical workflows. We dive deep into what it takes to commercialize complex technology, scale globally, and lead teams across engineering, business operations, and market development.Dan brings a rare perspective shaped by work on innovations tied to the Human Genome Project, high throughput drug screening, diagnostics biomarker testing, and population genomics. This conversation covers real world leadership lessons, hard earned entrepreneurial insights, and what founders need to know when building in regulated and high stakes industries like healthcare.If you are interested in startups, health tech, AI in diagnostics, entrepreneurship, or scaling technology companies, this episode is a must watch.What you will learn in this episode:• Dan Roark’s path from entrepreneur to CEO of Gestalt Diagnostics• How digital pathology and AI are changing cancer diagnostics• What it really takes to commercialize deep tech in healthcare• Leadership lessons from scaling companies globally• The biggest mistakes founders make when growing too fast• Advice for entrepreneurs building in regulated industriesSubscribe for weekly conversations with founders, CEOs, and investors building the next generation of technology companies.Dan Roark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-roark-665723/FUEL Coworking: https://fuelcoworking.com/#hubCowles Ventures: https://www.cowlesventures.com/

Spokane has a hidden superpower for founders and today you are getting the full story from the person who built it. Mark Pond is the Business Research Librarian behind StartUp Spokane, the program that invests more than one hundred thousand dollars each year in top tier business tools and gives them to the community at no cost.In this episode we dive into how the Spokane Public Library created one of the most valuable resource hubs for entrepreneurs in the country. Mark explains how founders can use industry databases, market research tools, competitor intelligence, demographic analysis, and step by step startup support that would normally cost a fortune. He also shares the evolution of StartUp Spokane, how it empowers young creators, what most new founders overlook, and why libraries may be the next frontier for economic development.What you will learn• How Spokane built a national level business resource engine• The tools founders should use from day one• How to validate ideas with real market data• Why StartUp Spokane is becoming a model for cities• Mark’s insights from nearly twenty years supporting entrepreneursIf you love stories about startup ecosystems, community builders, and the real strategies that help founders move from idea to traction, this episode is a must watch.Subscribe for more founder interviews, Spokane startup stories, and conversations with leaders shaping the region’s future.LinksStartUp Spokane: www.startupspokane.comMark Pond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markpond/FUEL Coworking: https://fuelcoworking.com/#hub

Margie Bensching is the CEO and Founder of Golden Sherpa, a senior living technology platform built to remove confusion, misinformation, and hidden fees from one of the most painful decisions families ever face. After seeing how outdated referral systems and bad information leave people overwhelmed, Margie set out to build a transparent marketplace that puts real data and real choice back into the hands of families.In this interview, Margie breaks down the mission behind Golden Sherpa, the personal experiences that pushed her to build a better way, how the platform delivers verified availability and pricing, and why truth and clarity are the future of senior living.

We explore her transition into entrepreneurship, the technology challenges behind building a real time data platform, early traction from providers across the country, and the growing demand for trusted senior care tools. This episode takes you inside the senior living industry, the problems families do not see until they are already overwhelmed, and the innovation required to transform an entire market.

What you will learn

• Why senior living search is one of the most confusing processes for families

• How Margie Bensching built Golden Sherpa to remove hidden fees and bad information

• How the platform verifies real time availability and pricing

• The data and technology challenges inside the senior living ecosystem

• Early wins and lessons from building a mission driven startup

• The future of transparency and digital tools for aging Americans about Golden Sherpa.

Golden Sherpa is a senior living search platform that provides verified availability, pricing, services, and community details directly from providers. By removing referral fees and outdated listings, Golden Sherpa empowers families to make confident decisions and gives senior living communities a transparent and trustworthy way to connect with people who need their support.SubscribeSubscribe for more founder conversations and deep dives into senior care innovation, digital health, and startups solving overlooked problems.

Keywords

Golden Sherpa, Margie Bensching, senior living technology, assisted living search, senior living marketplace, aging tech innovation, senior care platform, caregiving tools, family senior care support, Spokane startups, transparent senior living, senior care innovation, digital health interview, real time senior living data, mission driven founder, startup story, senior housing marketplace, elder care search, care navigation tools, senior living availability, founder podcast, aging services technology

Margie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margiebensching/

FUEL Coworking: https://fuelcoworking.com/

Brian Garvey is the Founder and CEO of VATA7, a safety technology company creating Smart LED helmets and gear to dramatically improve motorcycle rider visibility and reduce collisions. A former U.S. Navy Frogman turned entrepreneur, Brian has dedicated his career to solving one of the most overlooked problems in motorsports and everyday riding: riders are simply not seen.In this interview, Brian breaks down the mission behind VATA7, the journey from military service to startup leadership, how patented Smart LED technology integrates with rider gear, and why visibility is the next frontier in motorcycle safety. We discuss safety certifications, early sales momentum, industry interest from major institutions, and what it takes to build and scale hardware that can save lives.What you will learn• Why rider visibility is one of the biggest safety gaps on the road• Brian Garvey's transition from Navy Frogman to founder• How Smart LED helmet technology works and what makes VATA7 unique• Challenges and wins building a hardware safety startup• Where the future of rider protection and visibility tech is headedAbout VATA7VATA7 develops patented Smart LED helmets and gear built to help motorcyclists get noticed and stay protected. The company has over fifteen global patents, DOT and ECE certification, early sales traction, and rising interest from national safety organizations and research partners.Subscribe for more founder conversations and deep dives into frontier technology and safety innovation.KeywordsVATA7, Brian Garvey, motorcycle safety tech, smart helmet, LED motorcycle helmet, rider visibility, rider protection tech, startup interview, military veteran founder, Navy Frogman entrepreneur, motorsport safety innovation, wearable safety tech, DOT certified helmets, ECE certified helmets, motorcycle gear tech, patent backed startup, visibility tech, rider collision prevention, Spokane startups, founder podcast, hardware startup journey.

Brian's LinkedIn: Brian Jon Garvey | LinkedIn

FUEL Coworking: FUEL Coworking

In this episode, we sit down with Graham Morehead, co-founder of Pangeon and a leading mind in AI. Graham has been pioneering ways to combine Neural Networks (AI Type 1) and Symbolic Reasoning (AI Type 2) to create more human-like intelligence.We talk about the evolution of AI, the intersection of physics and computer science, and how Graham’s work at Pangeon aims to bridge the gap between symbolic reasoning and deep learning. He also shares insights from teaching at Gonzaga University, his thoughts on the Spokane tech ecosystem, and what the next frontier of artificial intelligence looks like.💬 In this episode:How Pangeon is how AI companies are madeLessons from decades tech and startupsThe philosophy behind building better AI🎙️ Hosted by Blake Gibson, Senior Associate at Cowles Ventures, this episode dives deep into the science, philosophy, and future of AI innovation.#GrahamMorehead #Pangeon #ArtificialIntelligence #AIInnovation #NeuralNetworks #SymbolicAI #SpokaneTech #CowlesVenturesPodcast #StartupFounders #TechLeadership #MachineLearning

In this episode, we sit down with Devin Miller, CEO and co-founder of SecureSave, the leading workplace emergency savings platform helping 60,000+ Americans save over $100 million.Devin shares how SecureSave partners with employers and financial institutions like Transamerica, Voya, Truist, and HSA Bank to make financial well-being accessible for every employee. We discuss his journey building fintech solutions used by tens of millions, his experience leading multiple startup acquisitions, and what it takes to create real impact in consumer finance and employee benefits.💬 In this episode:How SecureSave is changing workplace savingsBuilding scalable fintech from the ground upLessons from multiple successful startup exitsPartnering with major financial institutionsThe future of employee financial wellness🎙️ Hosted by Blake Gibson, Senior Associate at Cowles Ventures, this conversation dives deep into startup leadership, financial innovation, and how entrepreneurs can build products that truly matter.#SecureSave #DevinMiller #FintechPodcast #StartupFounders #FinancialWellness #EmployeeBenefits #Entrepreneurship #StartupStories #CowlesVenturesPodcast

Ever wondered how companies utilize water/power to improve their businesses?This episode features Tyson Schlect, a Senior Infrastructure Strategist at INFRA, where he’s helping shape the future of American water and power systems. Tyson approaches infrastructure challenges with a multi-generational mindset, developing solutions that enhance business value while strengthening water resiliency and energy security.We explore Tyson’s path: from his early interest in the history of engineering and mathematics to his modern-day work advancing the reindustrialization of America. He shares insights on strategy, systems design, sustainability, and how to align innovation with long-term public good.Stay connected with Tyson (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyson-schlect-20296b8b/INFRA: https://www.infra-se.com/FUEL Coworking: https://fuelcoworking.comFUEL Email: info@fuelcoworking.com

This episode features Steve Strom, a seasoned entrepreneur & company builder who has founded multiple startups, led teams through high-growth phases, and delivered two $1B+ exits. Steve is also an advisor, investor, and product/organization builder with a deep passion for scaling businesses from zero to scale. LinkedInWe dig into Steve’s journey: how he built and exited companies, assembled product and leadership teams, and what it’s really like to navigate the pressures of growth. He shares wisdom on product development, fundraising, culture, vision execution, and how you stay grounded when expectations are high.Stay connected with Steve (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/stromsteveRowStream: https://rowstream.com/FUEL Coworking: https://fuelcoworking.comFUEL Email: info@fuelcoworking.com