Iowa Tech Podcast

Latest Episodes:

From Des Moines to Seattle: The Journey of Julio Delgadillo and BuoyClub Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, Micah Walker takes over as host while Kaylee Williams is on maternity leave. Micah introduces Julio Delgadillo, an entrepreneur born in Des Moines, Iowa, who has a passion for creativity and design. Julio shares his journey from growing up in Iowa, developing his artistic skills in school, to eventually founding Buoyclub, a clothing brand he started during the COVID-19 pandemic. Julio explains how his time in Des Moines and his experiences in spoken word poetry influenced his creative spirit and entrepreneurial drive, eventually leading him to study industrial design at Iowa State University.

Julio discusses the challenges he faced in balancing school, work, and his business, highlighting how his involvement with Iowa State's entrepreneurial resources and pitch competitions helped him grow Buoyclub. Despite initial struggles, Julio's brand gained recognition through various competitions and pop-up shops, even catching the attention of Paxton for a T-shirt design competition. After graduating, Julio moved to Seattle to work as a designer at Costco, applying the skills he learned from Buoyclub to his new role. Though Buoyclub now faces new challenges in a larger market, Julio remains passionate about his brand and motivated to continue its growth.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/julio-delgadillo-buoyclub

SwineTech: Revolutionizing Pig Production with Matthew Rooda Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams converses with Matthew Rooda, CEO and co-founder of SwineTech, about his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his company. Matthew shares his background in pig production, emphasizing the challenges he encountered, such as labor shortages and piglet crushing, a significant issue leading to billions in losses annually. SwineTech originally tackled piglet crushing using voice recognition technology to alert sows to stand up, preventing piglet suffocation. However, during COVID-19, the company pivoted to a broader approach, focusing on workforce management and human-centered automation in pig barns to enhance consistency and care in pig production.

Matthew also discusses the company's growth and adaptation to global markets, including expansion into Australia and Canada, and plans to enter Mexico and other international markets. Despite recent economic challenges in the swine industry, SwineTech has thrived by providing solutions that enhance profitability, animal welfare, and sustainability. Throughout the episode, Matthew shares insights into the entrepreneurial process, emphasizing the importance of passion, authenticity, and industry engagement. He also highlights lessons learned about company culture, managing finances, and the value of mentorship and networking in both entrepreneurial and industry contexts.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/swinetech-agtech-iowa

Embracing Cycles: Harnessing Female Empowerment and Entrepreneurship with Alyx Coble-Frakes May 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee Williams engages with Alyx Coble-Frakes, the founder and CEO of The Agenda, at the Jethro's Barbecue Studio. Alyx shares her unexpected path from aspiring educator to businesswoman, highlighting her early experiences with the Girl Scouts and her educational background in social entrepreneurship. Her pivotal moment came from an observation about her sales conversions peaking during the ovulation phase of her menstrual cycle, which led to the formation of The Agenda Period. This discovery fueled her mission to create tools for women to harness their hormonal cycles for productivity, leading to the development of a planner and eventually an app with features like Google calendar integration and a symptom tracker.

As the conversation progresses, Alyx elaborates on the features of her product and the insights gained from user feedback, which guided the development of an app tailored to women's health needs. She discusses the transition to serving women experiencing perimenopause, defining it as a significant yet under-discussed phase akin to puberty in reverse, with numerous symptoms affecting women's lives and careers. Alyx emphasizes the importance of breaking the stigma around these topics and creating supportive tools and communities for women. The episode concludes with Alyx's vision for The Agenda, aiming to become a global leader in perimenopause support and offering practical advice for women to track and understand their cycles. Her dedication to addressing these issues is evident, reflecting a passion for empowering women through knowledge and innovative solutions.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/period-tracker-femtech

How AI is driving the future of healthcare with Dr. John Cromwell and Buddy Lyons of ENTAC Medical May 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee engages in an insightful conversation with Buddy Lyons and Dr. John Cromwell, the co-founders of ENTAC Medical. The discussion delves into the innovative journey of ENTAC Medical, a company that has pioneered the use of acoustic biomarkers and artificial intelligence to predict adverse medical events. Buddy and John share the fascinating origin story of their company, which began with the development of a predictive medical device aimed at addressing postoperative ileus. With a strong commitment to transforming healthcare from a reactive to a predictive model, the duo highlights the challenges and triumphs they've faced, including the financial hurdles and technological breakthroughs that have shaped their path.

As the conversation unfolds, listeners gain valuable insights into the potential of ENTAC Medical's groundbreaking technology, which extends beyond gastrointestinal applications to broader medical conditions such as asthma and congestive heart failure. The episode showcases the strategic partnerships and academic collaborations that have fueled the company's growth, emphasizing the pivotal role of Iowa's burgeoning med-tech ecosystem. Buddy and John candidly discuss the lessons learned and the importance of persistence and adaptability in the entrepreneurial journey. With plans to expand their innovative platform and a vision for the future of healthcare, ENTAC Medical is a testament to the power of innovation and collaboration in driving transformative change in the medical field.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/lyons-and-cromwell-acoustic-biomarkers-medtech

From Venture Capitalist to Startup Founder of Pitchly with Ryan Gerhardy May 13, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams sits down with Ryan Gerhardy, the co-founder and CEO of Pitchly, a company revolutionizing the way content is created from data. Recorded in the vibrant Jethro's Barbecue Studio, the conversation explores the exciting new developments at Pitchly, including the introduction of a freemium model that allows users to experience the power of Pitchly's autonomous content agents. Ryan shares his journey from investment banking and venture capital to co-founding a startup, highlighting the strategic decisions and lessons learned along the way.

Listeners gain insight into the challenges and triumphs of building a tech company in Iowa, as Ryan discusses the importance of playing to one's strengths, the evolving landscape of venture capital, and the value of building strong relationships within the ecosystem. Emphasizing the need for a strategic approach to hiring and scaling, Ryan outlines Pitchly's future plans and the transformative potential of their content agent model. The episode offers a compelling narrative of innovation and growth, providing valuable advice for entrepreneurs navigating the dynamic tech landscape.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/ryan-gerhardy-pitchly-venture-investing

Building real customer relationships with Lana Fox, CEO & Co-Founder of ClinicNote May 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams welcomes Lana Fox, co-founder and CEO of ClinicNote, to discuss her entrepreneurial journey. Lana shares her story of how she became involved with ClinicNote, initially starting as an unpaid girlfriend helping her now-husband Tyler Fox with the business. She talks about her initial experience managing an exterior painting business and how those skills translated into her role at ClinicNote. The conversation delves into the challenges of taking over as CEO during a financially tough period for the company and how she navigated those challenges by focusing on customer discovery and identifying a specific product-market fit. Her efforts led to a pivot towards university teaching clinics, which has since become the primary focus of the company, serving over 230 universities across various therapy disciplines.

The discussion also highlights the growth and development of ClinicNote, including raising venture capital to hire a strong team and expand into new markets like private practice. Lana talks about the importance of building a culture and team that aligns with the company's mission and the challenges of managing a small, high-contributing team. She shares insights into her fundraising experience, emphasizing the importance of finding investors who support both the business goals and personal values. Lana also touches on the learning curve of managing financials and building relationships with investors and a board of directors. The episode concludes with Lana emphasizing the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people, acknowledging that entrepreneurship is a long-term endeavor akin to an extreme sport, and offering advice to aspiring entrepreneurs on the significance of building relationships and learning from others.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/lana-fox-clinicnote-emr-tools

From ultra-marathons to urban farming: how to build a resilient startup with Clayton Mooney Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Clayton Mooney, the Co-Founder and Chief Farmer at Clayton Farms, discussing his journey from a small family farm in Iowa to creating a successful indoor farming business. Clayton shares his experience with ultra-marathon training and compares the perseverance required in athletics to that of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of tenacity and grit. He details his career path, including his initial reluctance to return to agriculture and his subsequent ventures like Kinosol, which developed solar food dehydrators for farmers in developing regions. This experience led him to explore the potential of indoor farming as a solution to food security challenges, ultimately resulting in the establishment of Clayton Farms with Co-Founder Danen Pool.

Clayton explains the evolution of Clayton Farms from a hydroponic equipment manufacturer and home delivery service to its current model: restaurants with integrated indoor farms, providing fresh salads, wraps, and smoothies. This business pivot not only increased profitability but also expanded their reach, serving over 100,000 people. The conversation delves into the company's future plans, including potential franchising and expansion beyond Iowa, as well as Clayton's personal commitment to mentoring young entrepreneurs and contributing to Iowa's startup ecosystem. Clayton's insights on perseverance, customer obsession, and the importance of mentorship provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating their own journeys.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/clayton-mooney-vertical-farming-drive-thru

The impact of global tariffs on one Iowa startup with Russel Karim Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of the Iowa Tech Podcast, host Kaylee Williams interviews Russel Karim, CEO and Founder of SourceEazy, about his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his company. Originally from Bangladesh, Russel has been part of the Iowa startup ecosystem for 14 years, beginning with his first venture, Solver Iowa, during his time at the University of Northern Iowa. Russel's background in the clothing manufacturing industry in Bangladesh inspired him to create SourceEazy, a company that connects fashion design with global manufacturing, particularly focusing on the promotional and uniform product industry. The company, originally named Dhakai (after the capital city of Bangladesh), aimed to bring visibility to the origins of fashion production and has since evolved to SourceEazy, reflecting its broader global reach and supply chain solutions.

The podcast delves into the challenges and opportunities faced by SourceEazy amidst recent trade tariffs and shifts in global supply chains. Russel explains how the company has strategically positioned itself by offering non-China supply chain options, which has become increasingly attractive to clients seeking alternatives due to the tariffs. SourceEazy's technology streamlines the process of designing and sourcing promotional products, providing significant savings and efficiency by cutting out middlemen. The company leverages its AI-powered platform to offer a seamless experience for distributors and suppliers, enhancing competitiveness in a $173 billion market. Despite the volatility in trade policies, Russel remains optimistic about SourceEazy's growth and potential to scale, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and technological innovation in navigating the current economic landscape.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/russel-karim-custom-apparel-design

Building Iowa startups with Curt Nelson and Ben Clark of the Entrepreneurial Development Center Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In the latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, host Kaylee interviews Curt Nelson, President and CEO of the Entrepreneurial Development Center (EDC), and Ben Clark, Entrepreneur in Residence at EDC. The discussion focuses on the role of EDC in supporting Iowa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Curt, who founded EDC 22 years ago, explains the organization's mission to accelerate the formation and success of new companies, thereby generating economic impact in Iowa. He shares his passion for entrepreneurship, which stems from his lifelong desire to create and innovate. Curt also discusses his book, "Recipe for Business Success," which offers insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. The conversation highlights the importance of balancing talent and funding to ensure successful business ventures.

Ben Clark shares his role at EDC, which involves working with clients across various stages of development, from early-stage startups to established companies facing growth challenges. He emphasizes the significance of transferring accumulated knowledge from EDC's 1,500 business interactions to sustain and support the community. The podcast delves into the pressing needs of founders, particularly the necessity of financial resources and skilled talent. Both Curt and Ben stress the importance of professional investment and strategic planning in overcoming challenges. They discuss the unique entrepreneurial environment in Iowa, highlighting the state's supportive community and work ethic, while also acknowledging the current challenges in accessing sufficient capital to sustain business growth.

Find this show on your favorite app: https://iowapodcast.com/curt-nelson-and-ben-clark-edc-cedar-rapids

An Interview with Clair Williams-Vavra, Winner of Startup Weekend DSM Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

The latest episode of the Iowa Tech podcast, hosted by Kaylee Williams, comes to life from the Jethro's Barbecue Studio in the East Village, where Kaylee chats with Clair Williams-Vavra, the Chief Operating Officer at SI Delivery Consulting. Clair, the recent winner of this year's Des Moines' Startup Weekend, shares her eclectic journey from hospitality to technology and entrepreneurship. She reflects on her past ventures, like the B2B mason jar salad company, Green Mason, and her deep-seated entrepreneurial spirit that traces back to childhood endeavors. The discussion takes a heartfelt turn as Clair opens up about her experiences with postpartum depression, which inspired her latest project pitched at Startup Weekend.

Throughout the weekend, Clair and her team delved into extensive customer discovery, uncovering the critical need for better support systems for postpartum mothers. This led to the conceptualization of 'Held,' an app designed to offer both clinical and community support for those experiencing perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. The podcast highlights the challenges faced by Clair and her team, the emotional journey of creating Held, and the powerful validation they received from peers and judges. Clair's story is a testament to the strength of sharing vulnerable experiences and the potential for innovation to address deeply personal and widespread issues. As Clair continues to build Held, she remains committed to listening to the needs of her community, reinforcing the importance of empathy-driven entrepreneurship.

If you, or a birthing mother you know, has experienced ANY symptoms typically associated with Postpartum Depression or Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder, please consider taking the anonymous survey here: https://shorturl.at/Tpb5J

Hear the full show: https://iowapodcast.com/clair-williams-vavra-postpartum-depression-support

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