Philly Tech Connect by Philadelphia Tech Entrepreneurs

🎧 Welcome to another episode of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! In Episode 74, we sit down with Avery Dante Hinds, co-founder and tech lead of Food Forest AI, a company building powerful AI-driven tools to transform how food and beverage teams manage sourcing and supply chains. 🔹 About This Episode: From engineering at Temple to building websites during the pandemic, Avery shares his path into the food tech space and how he’s addressing deep-rooted supply chain problems through design, data, and smart infrastructure. What started as a simple idea became a full-on mission to decentralize and localize food sourcing. 🔸 In This Episode, You’ll Discover: Why the food supply chain isn’t a line—it’s a web How broken directories and outdated sourcing tools sparked Food Forest AI The importance of understanding your industry before building in it Why did they shift from “PickYourPacker” to a more mission-driven brand How they're collecting and vetting data to make sourcing faster and smarter 🔹 Why Listen? If you’re curious about untapped industries, AI applications in real-world problems, or how to build tech without a traditional roadmap—this episode is for you. Avery’s story is a blueprint for tackling big problems with a small, nimble team. 🔸 Connect with Avery & Food Forest AI: Website: https://www.foodforest.ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/foodforestai/ 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is more than a podcast. We’re a thriving network of founders, builders, and creators shaping the Philly tech scene. Meet us in person or online. 👇 Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 👍 Like, Share & Subscribe to support Philly’s tech builders and stay in the loop with future episodes. #PhillyTechConnect #FoodTech #SupplyChainInnovation #Entrepreneurship #AIStartups #TechPodcast

🎧 Welcome to another powerful episode of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! In episode 73, we’re joined by Dr. Karen Eisinger, a cancer biologist with over two decades of research experience, now CEO of the cutting-edge biotech startup SyzOnc. 🔹 About This Episode: We explore Dr. Eisinger’s journey from leading a lab at UPenn to founding SyzOnc, a company focused on treating some of the most stubborn solid tumors like glioblastoma and pancreatic cancer. 🔸 In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why solid tumors resist treatment and how SyzOnc is tackling the entire tumor ecosystem The scientific shift from academia to entrepreneurship The emotional and professional drive behind launching a biotech startup How SyzOnc is leveraging small molecule drugs, investor backing, and NCI funding to bring new treatments to life 🔹 Why Listen? Whether you're in life sciences, an aspiring founder, or just love learning from innovators solving real-world problems—this conversation is packed with insight, mission, and momentum. 🚀 🔸 Connect with Dr. Eisinger: 🌐 Website: https://syzonc.com 📩 Email: karen.eisinger@syzonc.com 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is more than a podcast. We’re a growing network of founders, developers, marketers, and creators building Philly’s tech scene together. 🤝 📍 Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ 💬 Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 👍 Like, share, and subscribe for more stories from the heart of Philadelphia’s innovation community. #PhillyTechConnect #BiotechStartups #CancerResearch #SolidTumors #LifeSciences #TechEntrepreneurs #StartupLife #PhillyTech

🎧 Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! This week, we’re joined by Will Schmahl, a repeat founder, former AOL ad tech leader, and ex-Airbnb superhost who's now building something big—HousMthr, an AI-powered app reshaping how groups travel together. 🔹 About This Episode: Will walks us through his journey from launching his first business at 17 to creating HousMthr—a tool that simplifies group travel logistics, from shared expenses and ferry rides to fridge inventory. Designed for real hosts managing real stays, HousMthr focuses on on-trip coordination, not just pre-trip planning. 🔸 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How HousMthr is transforming the group travel experience through AI. Why most travel tech ignores what happens during your stay—and how HousMthr fills that gap. Real-world use cases: families, friends, coworking trips, beach house owners, and more. The exciting roadmap: AI-powered alerts, local recommendations, and even a marketplace for empty dinner tables or tours. 🔹 Why Listen? If you’ve ever planned a group trip, you know the chaos. Will’s solution makes it seamless. Whether you're in travel tech, real estate, or hospitality, this episode will spark ideas on how to rethink guest experience with smart coordination. 🔸 Connect with Will: Website: https://housmthr.com/ Email: will@housmthr.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schmahl/ 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is more than just a podcast. It's a thriving network of founders, devs, designers, and doers. Come meet us at our monthly meetups and workshops. 🤝 Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe to stay in the loop on all things Philly Tech. #PhillyTechConnect #GroupTravel #AITravelTech #Entrepreneurship #TechCommunity #PhillyStartups

🎧 Welcome to Episode 71 of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! This week, we’re diving into the world of home energy with Matthew Zothner, co-founder and CEO of Currents — a platform helping homeowners slash their energy bills and upgrade their homes with ease. 💡🏡 🔹 About This Episode: Matthew shares how Currents makes energy savings effortless through shared savings models and smart automation. From decoding rising utility costs to empowering homeowners with rebates, he’s on a mission to put people back in control of their energy choices. 🔸 In This Episode, You'll Discover: How Currents helps homeowners save hundreds per year through shared savings The rise in U.S. energy costs and what’s really behind it Tips for switching energy suppliers safely in deregulated states Why Philly's startup ecosystem has so much untapped potential Matthew’s plans to scale the platform across the U.S. from his new base in California 🔹 Why Listen? Whether you’re a tech founder, homeowner, or just curious about clean energy innovation, this episode is packed with insightful takes on consumer energy, AI, and platform thinking — straight from someone building the solution. 🔸 Connect with Matthew & Currents: 🌐 Website: https://getcurrents.com 📧 Email: hello@getcurrents.com 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzothner/

🎧 Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! This week, we're joined by Alison Hummel, the founder of Activated Health, a trailblazing insurance agency focused on access, transparency, and community wellness. 🔹 About This Episode: Alison takes us on her journey from top-performing insurance salesperson to launching her own agency—during a divorce, no less—and explains why the word “insurance” didn’t make it into her business name. We dive deep into why tech, strategy, and trust are at the core of Activated Health's growth. 🔸 In This Episode, You'll Discover: Why “Activated Health” has a K in it — and what that has to do with IP and identity. How Alison uses platforms like RetireFlow to streamline compliance-heavy processes. Why seminars, local partnerships, and showing up IRL are part of her go-to-market strategy. Common insurance misconceptions (spoiler: don’t wait for an emergency). What’s ahead for Activated Health and how Alison balances being a business owner and a mom. 🔹 Why Listen? Whether you're a founder, a techie, or just someone who puts off their insurance paperwork 😅 — Alison’s story will give you a new perspective on building a business that cares. 🔸 Connect with Alison: 🌐 Website: https://activatedhealth.com/ 📸 Instagram: @activatedhealth 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-hummel-2021/ 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is more than just a podcast — it's your launchpad into the local tech scene. Come network, share, and grow with us. 🗓 Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ 💬 Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights from the brilliant minds shaping Philly’s tech future. #PhillyTechConnect #HealthcareInnovation #WomenInTech #Entrepreneurship #InsuranceTech #PhillyStartups

🎧 Welcome to another energizing episode of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! This week, we're joined by Jordan Ambra, CTO, consultant, and founder of Serenity Software—a company dedicated to helping SaaS teams cut through the chaos and build better products. 🔹 About This Episode Jordan has seen it all: stressed-out teams, buggy rollouts, and the classic “hair-on-fire” dev culture. Through Serenity Software, he helps founders bring peace of mind to their workflows—what he calls "peace of mind as a service." 🔸 In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why most software chaos starts with people, not code The 3 P’s that every tech founder should master: People, Process, Product How growth often leads to inefficiency—and how to fix it Why humility in leadership matters more than ever The subtle power of alignment, trust, and clear communication Tips for scaling without burning out your team 🔹 Why Listen? If you're a founder, CTO, or team lead struggling with fast growth, team misalignment, or chaotic processes—this episode is packed with grounded wisdom, real-world stories, and takeaways you can apply right now. 🔸 Connect with Jordan Ambra: Website: https://serenity.software/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanambra/ 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is more than a podcast—it's a growing community of makers, builders, and dreamers. From monthly meetups to expert-led workshops, we’re here to help Philly’s startup scene thrive. 📍Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ 💬 Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more founder stories and startup wisdom straight from Philly’s tech hub. #PhillyTechConnect #SaaSFounders #SoftwareDevelopment #StartupLeadership #TeamManagement #PhillyTech #Entrepreneurship

🎧 Welcome to another powerful episode of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! In EP 68, we sit down with Dr. Lixia Yao, founder and CEO of Polygon Health Analytics—a company using real-world healthcare data and AI to improve patient outcomes. 🔹 About This Episode: Dr. Yao shares her incredible journey from working at Merck and Mayo Clinic to launching her own tech startup. With a background in biomedical informatics, she saw a major gap in the healthcare system—and decided to do something about it. Now, through Polygon Health Analytics, she’s bringing together science, data, and AI to tackle drug discovery, clinical development, and health economics. 🔸 In This Episode, You’ll Learn: How Dr. Yao’s career in pharma and academia shaped her vision for health tech The role of real-world data and AI in transforming healthcare The challenges of launching a startup in a complex, highly regulated space Why now is the time for innovation in health analytics Advice for anyone transitioning from corporate or academic paths into entrepreneurship 🔹 Why Listen? Whether you're a startup founder, healthcare professional, or simply passionate about innovation—this episode is packed with knowledge, inspiration, and game-changing ideas. 🔸 Connect with Dr. Lixia Yao: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaolixia/ Polygon Health Analytics: https://polygonhealthanalytics.com/ 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is where Philly’s most driven tech minds come together. From founders to designers to developers—we're building something great. 👉 Meetups: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ 👉 Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw 👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 👍 Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more stories from the boldest builders in Philly tech. #PhillyTechConnect #HealthcareAI #TechEntrepreneur #PhillyStartups #WomenInTech

🎧 Welcome to Episode 67 of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! We're excited to introduce Peter Chung, artist, designer, and entrepreneurial spirit behind the innovative startup, Boba Face. 🔹 About This Episode: Join us as Peter discusses his fascinating transition from a background in art and synthetic biology to launching a startup that’s all about enhancing local commerce through gamification. Learn how Boba Face is set to transform mom-and-pop shops with its boba-themed gameplay. 🔸 In This Episode, You'll Discover: How Peter navigated the shift from academia to entrepreneurship without a technical background. The challenges and rewards of developing a mobile gaming platform for local businesses. Insights into the startup cultures in Philadelphia vs. Oregon and the importance of community support. Sneak peek into the relaunch of Boba Face and what it means for local shoppers and businesses. 🔹 Why Listen? If you’re fascinated by startups, innovation, or just love a good underdog story, this episode will not disappoint. Peter's journey offers a wealth of knowledge on collaboration and creativity in business. 🔸 Connect with Peter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbchung/ 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs isn’t just a podcast; it's a growing community of innovators and creators. Join our meetups and workshops to network and share knowledge with like-minded tech enthusiasts. Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/   👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more episodes packed with expert insights and inspiring stories from the heart of Philly's tech scene. #PhillyTechConnect #Innovation #LocalBusiness #Gamification #TechCommunity

🎧 Welcome to Episode 66 of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! This week, we're excited to feature Matt Canning, a Philly-based entrepreneur and founder of Nolex, a groundbreaking platform designed to empower individuals with ADHD. 🔹 About This Episode: In this engaging conversation, Matt shares his journey to creating Noplex, a platform that goes beyond traditional productivity tools. Learn how Noplex uses ADHD-friendly strategies, AI-driven insights, and connections to behavioral health professionals to tackle the unique challenges of daily life for those with ADHD. 🔸 In This Episode, You'll Discover: How Matt’s personal experiences inspired the creation of Noplex. The innovative design of Noplex, including separate spaces for task curation and execution. How AI insights are improving ADHD care and support. Why Matt views the ADHD community as an underserved yet vibrant group. 🔹 Why Listen? Whether you're an entrepreneur, tech enthusiast, or someone passionate about creating inclusive solutions, this episode will inspire and educate you. 🔸 Connect with Matt: Website: Coming Soon! LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcanning 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs is more than just a podcast—it's a thriving network of tech innovators and entrepreneurs in Philadelphia! Join us for monthly meetups, workshops, and networking events. Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/ Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/phillytechent-tve1415/shared_invite/zt-1zmhmlqxu-3mBvJSZ2F0Uj4y9UUAevWw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/philadelphia-tech-entrepreneurs/ 👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe to hear more stories of innovation and entrepreneurship from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene. #PhillyTechConnect #ADHDSupport #Entrepreneurship #TechCommunity #Innovation

🎧 Welcome to another transformative episode of the Philly Tech Connect Podcast! In this episode, we're thrilled to have Emily Watts, CEO and co-founder of Coblr. 🔹 About This Episode: Join us as Emily shares her journey from a strategic leader to an entrepreneurial innovator. She discusses the inception of Coblr and how it's set to change the repair industry for fashion items like shoes and handbags. 🔸 In This Episode, You'll Discover: The story behind Coblr and its mission to bring sustainability to fashion. How Emily and her team are using AI to streamline repair processes. Challenges in the industry and how Coblr is overcoming them. 🔹 Why Listen? If you're interested in entrepreneurship, tech innovations, or sustainable fashion, this episode will provide you with deep insights and inspiration. 🔸 Connect with Emily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/memily-watts/ 🔹 Join Our Community: Philly Tech Entrepreneurs isn't just a podcast; it's a thriving hub for connecting, learning, and growing with like-minded tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs. Don't miss our monthly meetups and workshops! Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/philadelphia-entrepreneur/events/305514087/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/98631239/admin/dashboard/. 👍 Like, Share, and Subscribe for more inspiring stories and expert insights from the heart of Philadelphia's tech scene. #PhillyTechConnect #FashionTech #SustainableFashion #TechInnovation #Entrepreneurship