Innova802

Join Vermont tech leaders Will Jeffries, Ryan Munn and Scott Graves as they discover the best this Brave Little State has to offer in technology-driven entrepreneurship. We profile leaders, debate the merits of policy and offer connection to the rural innovation landscape. A project of SMGraves Assoc., Interchain Live and Blumenthal & Assoc.

The Four G’s of Open Innovation 04/29/2025

The Four G’s of Open Innovation Open Innovation has become essential to good science being completed by our institutions. Our guest this week, Steve Rader speaks with experience on how open innovation, rather crowdsourcing has and will shape good science work moving forward. Steven recently retired from NASA and is an expert in open innovation after 36 years with NASA at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. We discussed his experiences leveraging crowdsourcing and open innovation to achieve significant cost savings and accelerate technological advancements at NASA, including nearly 900 successful challenges within his career. He highlighted the importance of understanding a problem’s root causes before brainstorming solutions and the four "G's" driving participation (Gold, Guts, Glory, and Good) by thousands of our neighbors passionate about the work of science. . This Are We Here Yet? podcast is in association with the Innova802 podcast. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/36357090

Tech to Support, Not Replace People 04/22/2025

Tech to Support, Not Replace People Sharing the mic with Interchain.Live and fellow Innova802 crew member Ryan Munn brought Richard Lowe to our virtual studios for a discussion regarding Rich’s experience as a The discussion quickly deepened to include his perspective on building the bionic worker: getting business to leverage tech to support workers as opposed to leveraging tech to replace them. The importance of leveraging older workers who are living longer and what experienced professionals bring to the table for companies and society. Rich is a deep well of experience on a number of important topics that we encourage you to think more on after listening. Find our discussion on the Podcast roster as well as and /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/36262610

Rugged Micropower Launches into the Vermont Tech Community 04/15/2025

Rugged Micropower Launches into the Vermont Tech Community is no stranger to the Vermont high tech community. He recently launched to take what he’s learned working for leading Vermont tech companies and applying them to build a leader in providing power management solutions to the space industry. Our conversation touched upon the intricacies of supply-chain, too. We also offer our congrats to Paul and the other members of the 2025 cohort of , announced recently. . /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/36151680

News from the Vermont Technology Alliance 04/09/2025

News from the Vermont Technology Alliance Adam Locklin is the new executive director of the . His tenure began in January of 2025 after 20+ years with founding Executive Director Jeff Couture at the helm. Adam filled the Innova802 crew in on what he’s learned so far traveling throughout Vermont on a whirlwind tour to understand the needs of existing and prospective members of Vermont’s only tech-centric membership advocacy organization. Some surprises have already come to the fore from the feedback Adam has received. We hope to have Adam back on a regular basis to focus on a number of tech policy or advocacy issues including data privacy, venture capital, housing and economic development policy. Full disclosure: The VTTA is a sponsor of the Innova802 podcast, produced in partnership by and M the Media Project of . /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/36076340

Tackling Children’s Mental Health Challenges: Biobe 03/31/2025

Tackling Children’s Mental Health Challenges: Biobe We spoke with Burlington, VT’s , Co-Founder and CEO of . Their startup, currently focused on non-dilutive funding, intends to help one million children by 2030. They provide early detection technology and an emotional regulation toolkit to the children’s mental health ecosystem. Bryn is by her own definition a storyteller, and the Innova802 crew found she is telling a compelling story we should all be listening in on. Like many startups in Vermont she has participated in LaunchVT. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35936240

Funding Startups in Vermont w/ Moody’s Advisors Jerry Carter 03/27/2025

Funding Startups in Vermont w/ Moody’s Advisors Jerry Carter The latest form the Innova802 Crew brought Jerry Carter, partner in Burlington, VT’s into the virtual studio this month to talk about the current trends we’re experiencing inside and outside of venture-capital for Vermont’s rural startups. We spoke about the changing market for venture-backed companies in the Green Mountain State. WHat sectors are getting the most attention from funders? What can founders expect for terms? What can we do to expand or improve the current conditions? Stay tuned for an exciting look at what’s possible here in the 802. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35894300

Fundraising Innovation from Meagan Downey, founder of Shiki Wrap 03/12/2025

Fundraising Innovation from Meagan Downey, founder of Shiki Wrap Meagan Downey is founder of Vermont-based , a successful and maturing startup providing reusable gift wrap and bags, combining a consumer product with a mission-driven strategy. This experience coupled with Meagan’s earlier work in mission-driven fundraising gave her the experience and perspective that drives her newest endeavor the Compound Fund. ‘Non-profit is a tax status not a business strategy’ resonated tenfold with the Innova802 crew. And Meagan is adept at using existing financial tools in noble ways to generate success. In this episode we discussed Meagan’s founder experience and she takes us into her philosophy for stewarding new business and driving the boat on funding a business. If you’re searching for perspective and tactical considerations for your own founders journey, please listen in. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35663365

Humnet wants you to find connection through the internet? Pt II 03/02/2025

Humnet wants you to find connection through the internet? Pt II We offer you the second part of our interview with founder Darren Mark and COO Mike Walton of You’ve heard the Innova802 crew speak to the idea that we give too much credence to the tech around our daily lives, surrendering a lot of our agency over how we control the use of tech for good, rather than engaging with it in truly useful and healthy ways. Often, it may be better if we turned the devices off and speak the truth TO one another, ending the isolation we feel which can lead to any number of negative consequences to society. But what if someone turned that idea on its head to the benefit of people? What if focused at least in part on a way to make the tech work better for us in keeping people connected. Our guests for a two part podcast are working this right here, right now. is the founder of humnet.live. We spoke with Darren and COO and mentor about the path to building and funding humnet.live. We spoke to the need for human connection and the consequences we’re experiencing due to increased isolation. It came to no surprise to some of the Innova802 crew Darren’s background as an artist, a writer for the screen. For it is the artists that lead us into new territory, that address the most human and essential within us. Asking the tough questions fearlessly. We hope you enjoy! /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35500235

Humnet wants you to find connection through the internet? Pt I 03/02/2025

Humnet wants you to find connection through the internet? Pt I You’ve heard the Innova802 crew speak to the idea that we give too much credence to the tech around our daily lives, surrendering a lot of our agency over how we control the use of tech for good, rather than engaging with it in truly useful and healthy ways. Often, it may be better if we turned the devices off and speak the truth TO one another, ending the isolation we feel which can lead to any number of negative consequences to society. But what if someone turned that idea on its head to the benefit of people? What if focused at least in part on a way to make the tech work better for us in keeping people connected. Our guests for a two part podcast are working this right here, right now. is the founder of humnet.live. We spoke with Darren and COO and mentor about the path to building and funding humnet.live. We spoke to the need for human connection and the consequences we’re experiencing due to increased isolation. It came to no surprise to some of the Innova802 crew Darren’s background as an artist, a writer for the screen. For it is the artists that lead us into new territory, that address the most human and essential within us. Asking the tough questions fearlessly. We hope you enjoy! /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35500140

Innova802: Blockchain Breakdown 02/25/2025

Innova802: Blockchain Breakdown Hosts Ryan Munn and Scott Graves are joined by Justin Loranger of in what we’re sure you’ll find to be an excellent primer on why blockchain is the key to transforming crypto into accepted currency, offering security and stability. Why should you anticipate the value of your name and that of your company in the digital realm? Lots to learn for building our rural economies (you don’t need to be in a city to leverage this tech to your benefit). In collaboration with and /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35421575

Innova802 - 2025: Where Do We Go From Here? 02/09/2025

Innova802 - 2025: Where Do We Go From Here? 2025: Where Do We Go From Here? The Innova802 Crew discuss their thoughts on 2024, the year that was and pontificate on 2025, a year already flooding the airwaves with contentious tech policy maneuvers, authoritarianism, crypto making headlines….tech is at the top of virtually every news cycle and the Innova802 crew is there to let you know how it affects our Vermont rural tech environment. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35210325

Innova802 Shorts: Open Source Comes Alive at UVM. 02/04/2025

Innova802 Shorts: Open Source Comes Alive at UVM. UVM student leader shares what projects are developing in the University’s Open Source Community including the Vermont Complex Systems Institute, the CS Crew student club and . You may remember the latter organization's Director Kendall Fortney making an appearance in /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35154390

Innova802 Short: Data Privacy Rights for Vermont 01/30/2025

Innova802 Short: Data Privacy Rights for Vermont It's a new legislative cycle in the state of Vermont. Co-host Scott Graves participated along with other leaders including Attorney General Charity Clark on Monday January 27 in support of State Rep. Monique Priestley's efforts to pass data privacy legislation for Vermont. Innova802 shorts are a mid-week look at current events in rural tech. Find our Youtube channel at /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/35076215

The Satoshi Ratio, A Look at Blockchain Pt II 01/21/2025

The Satoshi Ratio, A Look at Blockchain Pt II We’re diving into Blockchain and Crypto as the new year comes into being. Innova802 co-host Ryan Munn is no stranger to how blockchain could transform the way we think of and transact money. But our society has placed some significant barriers to accepting blockchain. Why is this so? Are we advocating for a bunch of cavalier tech-bros and their ponzi schemes or is there more substance to the idea that blockchain could create a more robust and secure financial environment for all of us. In Part II co-hosts Ryn Munn and Scott Graves discuss the technical side of blockchain and how it can be a benefit to stabilizing transactions while decentralizing the power behind our money and making investments. This is an ongoing study of blockchain and crypto currency, a collaborative project of & & /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/34935375

Innova802: Snap, Crackle, Pop! Plus a Tribute to the legend Quincy Jones 01/16/2025

Innova802: Snap, Crackle, Pop! Plus a Tribute to the legend Quincy Jones is a construction materials company manufacturing foam glass gravel, or in company parlance GLAVEL. CEO Rob Conboy sat down with the Innova802 crew to discuss what it took to bring this technology to market in the US. How are they leading in recycling and carbon sequestration, excellence in innovative construction materials how they plan for growth and what effect they can have contributing to solve the housing crisis. We recently toured their facility and give credit to the Glavel team for epitomizing what a Vermont rural innovation company should look like. Shout out to those mentioned who helped this team and many other Innova802 guests along the way including , and . Stay on the line for host Scott M. Graves’s personal tribute to one of his inspirations, the legendary composer, arranger, producer and entrepreneur Quincy Jones. Jones passed away at his home in Los Angeles on November 3 at the age of 91. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/34874945

Pt I: Ace McCarleton of New Frameworks 01/16/2025

Pt I: Ace McCarleton of New Frameworks We joined Ace McCarleton of Vermont-based to talk about their panelized building innovations for the housing marketplace. New Frameworks practices high performance natural building towards the construction of climate justice and regeneration. Innovation is expressed in their home construction products and processes, their sourcing of materials, for sure. But it’s also in their employee-ownership model, their steadfast dedication to inclusion and more. Learn in two episodes their origin story, Ace’s thoughts on housing innovation, employee ownership and how to grow a company that consistently leads through example. Plus in The Jazz Room we celebrate the Drummers! Host Joan Watson-Jones dedication to drummers. Though she did not have the pleasure of interviewing the great Roy Haynes who passed away last week, we have many of his friends to celebrate in this episode. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/34874905

Innova802: Pt II New Frameworks 01/16/2025

Innova802: Pt II New Frameworks We joined Ace McCarleton of Vermont-based to talk about their panelized building innovations for the housing marketplace. New Frameworks practices high performance natural building towards the construction of climate justice and regeneration. Innovation is expressed in their home construction products and processes, their sourcing of materials, for sure. But it’s also in their employee-ownership model, their steadfast dedication to inclusion and more. Learn in two episodes their origin story, Ace’s thoughts on housing innovation, employee ownership and how to grow a company that consistently leads through example. Explore New Frameworks And the The Jazz Room… We celebrate the Saxophonists! Our episode includes the likes of Billy Pierce, Jackie MacLean, Coleman Hawkins and John Coltrane. /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/34874850

Innova802: The Satoshi Ratio, A Look at Blockchain 01/14/2025

Innova802: The Satoshi Ratio, A Look at Blockchain We’re diving into Blockchain and Crypto as the new year comes into being. Innova802 co-host Ryan Munn is no stranger to how blockchain could transform the way we think of and transact money. But our society has placed some significant barriers to accepting blockchain. Why is this so? Are we advocating for a bunch of cavalier tech-bros and their ponzi schemes or is there more substance to the idea that blockchain could create a more robust and secure financial environment for all of us. We discuss how global governments, power transitions, politics and currency policy is all playing its role. This is an ongoing study of blockchain and crypto currency, a collaborative project of & & /episode/index/show/e4dbf338-7201-4780-8074-4fa9092ad2f4/id/34852390

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