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.

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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.

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Navigating the Future of Consumer VC with Jason Stoffer of Maveron

In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker interviews Jason Stoffer, general partner at Maveron, a Pacific Northwest-based consumer VC fund. Jason shares his unconventional journey into venture capital, Maveron's focus on consumer brands, and insights into building a consumer VC fund in Seattle. The discussion also covers current and emerging opportunities in sectors like EdTech, AI, wellness, and retail. Jason shares what he looks for in founders and how the changing media landscape affects consumer product reach. The episode concludes with Jason's thoughts on the trends in the VC market and the future of job markets in light of technological advancements.

00:00 Sound Investments - Jason Stoffer

00:30 Jason's Journey into Venture Capital

01:13 Maveron's Investment Focus

22:02 Consumer VC in Seattle

28:16 EdTech and AI

31:28 The Future of Consumer Marketing

37:23 Portfolio Companies and Market Outlook

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.

Jason Stoffer, Chief Investment Officer, General Partner

As a kid, Jason aspired to be the world’s greatest veterinarian. Now he herds cats of a different sort as a father to three young boys. Jason joined Maveron in 2007 after a pioneering role in online education and has become our resident expert in consumer education, e-commerce and marketplace businesses. He likes to dig in and stay involved, and our companies are better for it. Jason is a diehard U of Michigan football fan and a voracious reader—historical fiction, science fiction, the classics. Jason’s love of animals never quite went away; he serves on the board of the Seattle Humane Society.

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Navigating the Seattle VC Landscape with Elisa Lava of Trilogy Equity Partners

In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker interviews Elisa Lava, Principal at Trilogy Equity Partners in Seattle. They discuss Elisa's journey in venture capital, the distinct qualities of the Pacific Northwest's startup ecosystem, and emerging trends in AI and early-stage investing. Elisa shares her insights on investment strategies, the importance of community building in tech, and the evolving market dynamics affecting early-stage companies. The episode also highlights the challenges and opportunities present in the current investment climate for startups.

00:00 Introduction

00:30 Elisa La Cava from Trilogy Equity Partners

01:31 The Seattle Startup Ecosystem

02:48 Elisa's Journey into Venture Capital

04:46 Transition to Consulting

05:54 Entering the Venture Capital World

10:57 Joining Madrona and Trilogy Equity Partners

11:54 Trilogy's Investment Strategy

16:38 Community Building

20:36 AI Trends and Investment Opportunities

26:47 Challenges in Seed Stage Investing

28:14 Funding Milestones and Investor Expectations

34:04 Portfolio Companies

41:30 The Impact of AI Tools on Venture Capital

46:35 Future of AI in Media

51:11 Conclusion

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.

Elisa La Cava, Principal, Trilogy Equity Partners

Prior to joining Trilogy, Elisa spent five years as an investor at Madrona Venture Group where she focused on funding early-stage startups building enterprise software applications. She also held positions at MATH Venture Partners and AT&T Corporate Development / M&A. Before receiving her MBA, Elisa worked at Deloitte Consulting, where she held roles as U.S. West Region chief of staff and consultant. Earlier in her career, Elisa gained early-stage company building experience at a biofuel startup where she wore several hats, including business development, project management, and HR.

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Building Community-Driven Venture Capital with Pablo Casilimas, Managing Partner of OneSixOne Ventures

In this episode of Sound Investments, host Ed Barker talks with Pablo Casilimas, co-founder and managing partner of OneSixOne. Pablo shares his journey from a student entrepreneur to venture capitalist, emphasizing the significance of community in venture capital. They discuss how OneSixOne was created, the innovative approach they take to building their fund, and the critical role of community. Pablo also shares insights on the types of sectors they invest in, the importance of founder-market fit, and the future vision for OneSixOne. Throughout the conversation, Pablo highlights some of their portfolio companies and the unique strategies they employ to support their founders.

00:00 Introduction

01:21 Pablo's Journey to VC

04:26 Building Community & Fund Strategy

05:52 Investment Focus & Sectors

07:47 Founder Criteria & Portfolio

11:25 Fundraising & LPs

15:06 Geography & Ecosystems

20:04 Trends & Founder Stories

23:54 Working with Founders

28:19 Portfolio Highlights

33:24 The Future of OneSixOne

41:54 Personal Insights & Closing

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.

Pablo Casilimas, Managing Partner, OneSixOne Ventures

Pablo is the Co-Founder OneSixOne, a pre-seed venture firm investing in Cloud and AI infrastructure, GovTech, and enterprise software. With roots in Miami and a background in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida, Pablo built his reputation by fostering startup ecosystems in underserved markets—starting with Gainesville, then expanding to Miami and Seattle. He launched OneSixOne to back overlooked technical founders at the earliest stages.

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Innovating Hard Tech: In-Depth with Amish Patel of Conduit Venture Labs

Sound Investments host Ed Barker chats with Amish Patel, Managing Director of Conduit Venture Labs, about his dynamic career transitioning from Microsoft to launching startups in the hard tech space. They explore Patel's vision for Conduit Venture Labs, its innovative venture studio model, and its emphasis on the synergy between hardware, software, and entrepreneurship. The discussion covers various sectors Patel is passionate about, including health and human performance, physical industries like agriculture and energy, and dual-use technologies. Notable projects include medical devices, AI-powered wearables, and environmental tech solutions. Patel highlights the studio's strategy of leveraging a network of experts to address the 'valleys of death' in hardware development and shares how Conduit is contributing to the Pacific Northwest's innovation landscape.

00:00 Introduction

01:53 Guest Background

02:12 Career Journey at Microsoft

06:00 Entrepreneurial Path and Hardware Experience

08:30 Founding Conduit Venture Labs

11.25 Venture Studio Model

15.56 Corporate Studios

17.22 Sector Focus

24.19 Making the Model Work

30.10 Cap Table Strategy

34.00 Working in the PNW

42:06 Current Portfolio and Projects

47:10 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.

Amish Patel, Managing Director, Conduit Venture Labs

Amish Patel is the Founder and Managing Director of Conduit Venture Labs, a venture studio based in Seattle, Washington, that focuses on developing innovative solutions at the intersection of physical and digital technologies. He has a strong background in product design and technology strategy, having previously held leadership roles in various startups and at Microsoft, where he was involved in the development of wearable devices and consumer health platforms.

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Behind the Curtain: Sarah Applebaum on Hard Tech and Venture Capital

In this episode of Sound Investments, Ed Barker interviews Sarah Applebaum, partner at Pangaea Ventures. They discuss Sarah's journey into venture capital and her work at Pangaea, an investment firm focused on hard tech and sustainability. The conversation covers the startup ecosystem in Vancouver, the importance of hard tech for addressing global challenges, and specific investment sectors like industrial decarbonization, green chemistry, and semiconductor manufacturing. They also dive into the dynamics between Pangaea and its corporate partners and explore current trends and challenges in the venture capital landscape.

Pangaea Ventures Hard Tech report can be found here.

00:00 Introduction to Sound Investments

00:17 Meet Sarah Applebaum: Partner at Pangaea Ventures

02:37 Sarah's Journey into Venture Capital

09:47 Understanding Hard Tech and Planetary Health

13:03 Strategies and Challenges

23:02 Investment Opportunities

34:57 Corporate Partnerships and Future Outlook

37:59 Conclusion and Final 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.

Sarah Applebaum, Partner, Pangea Ventures

Sarah brings more than a decade of venture capital and company building experience to the team. Sarah has cultivated expertise in building entrepreneurial teams, scaling early stage ventures, and venture financing. Sarah is an active mentor to early stage entrepreneurs and a startup community activator and advocate. Sarah led Pangaea’s investments into PolySpectra, Correlia Biosystems, and pH7. Sarah holds a BSc. From Dalhousie University and an MBA from the Schulich School of Business. Outside of work, you can find Sarah on the local trails with her dog, Indie, out on her road bike, or spending time with friends and family.

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