Stay ConnectedFeaturing Vermont’s most influential business leaders, Start Here bridges the gap between entertainment and inspiration by presenting the unfiltered stories of today’s top innovators. Everybody starts somewhere – why not Start Here?
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We sat down with our friend Chelsea Bardot Lewis, the Executive Director of Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR). She’s steering VBSR into its next chapter by doubling down on in-person connection, pragmatic advocacy around housing, healthcare, workforce, and climate resilience, and building a stronger, more generous Vermont business ecosystem! We loved hearing her passion for the workforce in this state. This is one that e-v-e-r-y-o-n-e should listen to.
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We sat down with our dear friend David Aronoff, managing partner at MCJ, one of the leading early-stage climate tech venture funds. David brings decades of venture experience, from building rocketship startups to investing at top firms like Greylock and Flybridge. What sets MCJ apart is its unconventional approach: no board seats, no led rounds, just relentless focus on portfolio support powered by a massive community of talent. With deep roots in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom, a passion for durable companies, and a clear-eyed view on everything from AI bubbles to Vermont’s innovation ecosystem, David offers sharp insights for founders, investors, and anyone serious about climate solutions.
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Today, we sit down with our friend Sam Holland, co-founder of Informal. Sam is a hardware builder at his core, but has a rare talent for making it feel inviting to all. He’s built everything from brain scanners to burrito holders, and brings that same creativity to the meetups he hosts. He also brings a healthy dose of humor to every conversation. If you’re exploring hardware or considering launching a hardware company…or oblivious to it all and want to give it a try, this episode is a great place to start.
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With a background that spans startups, exits, and investing, Phil Beauregard brings raw energy, humility, and a deep belief that world-changing ideas can come from anywhere. He’s an Ivy League grad, ex-investment banker, and serial entrepreneur. Now, managing partner at Impellent Ventures, Phil and his team focus on uncovering the next unicorns in emerging regions, from overlooked cities to unexpected founders. This is one you don't want to miss.
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Adam Farmer is the CEO of The Farmer Companies. Also known as the team behind Cabot Mac & Cheese, Nathan’s Beef Sticks, and Guinness Pretzel Pieces. He joins Start Here to talk about scaling in the food space, striking smart partnerships, and what it really takes to get snacks on shelves everywhere. If CPG is your thing, you gotta tune in.
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You probably know him well. Whether from NBC5, the Lake Monsters field, or VT Startup News, Tom Messner is (smiling) everywhere. In this episode of Start Here, we explore his passion for Vermont’s entrepreneurial scene, his commitment to investing locally, and even unravel the mystery of weather balloons.
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What is the micromobility revolution? It’s the movement of trading gas pedals for handlebars to make urban transport easy and more affordable. In this episode of Start Here, we sat down with Andrew Savage, founding team member and VP of Sustainability at Lime, the world’s largest shared electric vehicle company and the force behind the e-scooters and e-bikes you’ve probably seen zipping through traffic jams in your city. Andrew breaks down how Lime has helped replace over a billion kilometers of car trips with clean, electronic rides and explains why this matters for our cities, our wallets, and the health of our planet!
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Rylan Blowers founded Park Software from the most fitting place possible—an RV. The idea sparked when he and his co-founder John, struggled to book a spot for the night, experiencing the pain points of campground reservations firsthand. The result: a campground management software made simple. Rylan's story is not one to miss. In this episode, we cover building, fundraising, and scaling a software company while living in Vermont.
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After nine years of co-hosting this podcast, Sam Roach-Gerber is on the other side of the mic. She’s a baller on all fronts. Known for wearing many hats, Sam started the Female Founders Speakers Series, THIS PODCAST, and advised hundreds of entrepreneurs over the years. How did she get from a bottle redemption girl to one of VT’s best startup advisors? You’ll have to listen to find out. Oh…and stay to the end to see where she’s at now.
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Jane and Dave Sandelman have a crazy story. After living the corporate life, they opened an inn in southern Vermont that was one of the Top 10 Culinary Inns in America, pioneering farm-to-table dining. Now, they run Cannatrol, a drying and curing system for cannabis. It all started at a cheese conference when Dave discovered that the physics of aging cheese and drying a flower are the same. Their first prototype sold quickly, and today, Cannatrol has shipped over 6,000 units to 15 countries. Their story is one of innovation, adaptability, and turning curiosity into a global business.
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