How HP's Incubation Director Sees the Future of AI and Innovation

In this episode Ed Barker talks to Elizabeth Scallon, Director of Incubation at HP. Elizabeth discusses the current state of AI adoption, the potential for robots in various settings, and the challenges and opportunities of corporate innovation. She shares her journey from biotech startups to major tech companies like Amazon and HP, emphasizing the importance of iterative development, cross-functional collaboration, and customer validation. Elizabeth also highlights the vibrant startup ecosystem in Seattle and the role of the University of Washington in fostering innovation.

00:00 Introduction

01:02 Introduction to Elizabeth Scallon

02:29 Career Journey from Biotech to Corp Innovation

07:05 Corporate Innovation and Incubation at HP

16:00 Strategic Framework for Innovation

22:59 Seattle's Tech and Startup Ecosystem

27:00 University of Washington's Role in Innovation

31:04 AI Applications

39:38 Closing Thoughts

About Your Host

Ed Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has founded three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently as a VC. He's now building a podcast production company, Studio 1878. Sound Investments is a modest attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial community.

Nick Ellingson, Startup Ambassador, WTIA

Nick is Director of Products and Startup Ambassador at the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA). He oversees WTIA’s core programs while championing early-stage ventures across Washington, helping founders access funding, mentorship, and community. With a background in product leadership and sales at OpenText, Nick brings nearly a decade of experience supporting tech growth in the region. He holds an Executive MBA from Seattle University and studied at the University of Redlands and Lakeside School. Known as a connector and advocate for startups, Nick is deeply embedded in Seattle’s innovation ecosystem.

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The Heart of Seattle's Startup Ecosystem with Nick Ellingson of WTIA

In this episode of Sound Investments, the host, Ed Barker, dives into Washington's tech ecosystem with Nick Ellingson, the startup ambassador at the WTIA. Nick has spent a decade helping founders navigate the startup landscape, and he shares insights into the unique characteristics of Seattle's founders, the role of WTIA, and the challenges facing the local tech ecosystem. They discuss the importance of solving big problems, the need for better marketing of the local ecosystem, and the dynamics of funding within the region. Nick also highlights WTIA's accelerator programs, support services, and the organization's goals for driving economic development and fostering industry connections in Washington.

00:00 Introduction

00:39 Meet Nick Ellingson

02:07 The Role and Evolution of WTIA

06:51 WTIA's Support for Startups

09:31 Accelerator Programs and Their Impact

14:13 Challenges and Success Metrics

17:31 Global Comparisons

19:28 Seattle's Evolving Tech Focus

20:09 Enterprise SaaS and AI

21:21 AI Ecosystem

22:47 Intersections of AI with Other Industries

25:27 Challenges in Marketing and Funding

28:22 Angel Investing

35:33 Future Growth and Economic Development

39:10 WTIA's Roadmap

About Your Host

Ed Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has founded three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently as a VC. He's now building a podcast production company, Studio 1878. Sound Investments is a modest attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial community.

Nick Ellingson, Startup Ambassador, WTIA

Nick is Director of Products and Startup Ambassador at the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA). He oversees WTIA’s core programs while championing early-stage ventures across Washington, helping founders access funding, mentorship, and community. With a background in product leadership and sales at OpenText, Nick brings nearly a decade of experience supporting tech growth in the region. He holds an Executive MBA from Seattle University and studied at the University of Redlands and Lakeside School. Known as a connector and advocate for startups, Nick is deeply embedded in Seattle’s innovation ecosystem.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Building Seattle's Tech Legacy: A Conversation with Chris DeVore

In this episode, Chris DeVore, managing partner at Founders Co-op, shares his journey from an operator to an influential venture capitalist in Seattle, shaping the city’s startup ecosystem. He discusses the evolution of his investment philosophy, the challenges of venture capital outside Silicon Valley, and his commitment to community-driven legacy projects like the waterfront park. Chris also highlights the promising companies in his portfolio, including vertical payments in construction and innovative applications in healthcare. The conversation provides deep insights into the interplay between founders, venture capital, and regional technology growth.

00:00 Introduction

00:58 Hello, Chris

02:18 Chris's Journey to Venture Capital

08:56 Founder-Friendly Investment Philosophy

13:49 Founders Co-op Overview

29:28 Views on Technology Trends

43:02 Portfolio Highlights

51:01 Missed Opportunities

53:44 Legacy and Impact on Seattle

About Your Host

Ed Barker has enjoyed a weird and varied career. Ed is a Brit now resident in Seattle and has founded three startups, enjoyed a long career in corporate strategy, and most recently as a VC. He's now building a podcast production company, Studio 1878. Sound Investments is a modest attempt to shine some light on the fantastic work being done in the Pacific Northwest entrepreneurial community.

Chris DeVore, Managing Partner

Chris is the Founding Managing Partner of Founders’ Co-op, the Pacific Northwest's leading seed-stage venture fund. In that role, Chris led the seed rounds for Seattle's most recent successful IPO Remitly and $4B+ Outreach, was an early backer of Auth0, and led or participated in the first round financings of over 100 additional startups in the region. Chris also co-founded and led the Seattle branch of the global Techstars startup accelerator from 2010 to 2019, supporting an additional 100+ founding teams from inception through their first fundraise. Previously a co-founder of Adjacency, Chris also created outdoor retailer Patagonia's first online retailing channel and led product and business strategy teams at AT&T and McCaw Cellular. As a community volunteer, Chris co-chaired the City of Seattle’s Economic Development Commission, partnered with the University of Washington to create Startup Hall, and is a current Board member of Friends of Waterfront Seattle, a non-profit helping to revitalize Seattle’s downtown waterfront.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.