Uncategorized Archives

Episode 64: John Merris

Firing Up Outdoor Brands

When it comes to putting smiles on faces, John Merris knows a thing or two about how to do that. Whether sitting around a campfire, kayaking on the lake or even wearing some crazy shorts, he builds a lifestyle brand that brings family and friends together. As CEO of Solo Brands, the company that went public in the fall of 2021, John Merris shares how he became CEO of Solo Stove, what it is like collaborating and acquiring three different brands, and how he is creating good through his products.

Episode 63: Alex Brammer

A Bit of Mining...in the City?

Fort Worth recently announced that it is the first city government to mine bitcoin. Alex Brammer, the VP of Business Development at Luxor Technologies, one of the city's partners on their new bitcoin mine, does a deep dive to explain what the City of Fort Worth's new bitcoin mining operation is and why it could have great outcomes for all Fort Worthians.

Episode 62: Jon Weidanz

Weeding Out Cancer with Immunotherapies

Abexxa Biologics is changing how we treat cancer. Using immunotherapy, Jon Weidanz is treating cancer through novel biotechnology that targets cancer cells and boosts the immune systems of patients. Jon and Debra Weidanz are the co-founders of the biotech company Abexxa Biologics, which was acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) in 2021. Jon shares how he raised capital from BI venture funds, how Abexxa won their Golden Ticket competition, and how they went from lab discovery to acquisition in just a few years.

Episode 61: Austin Patry & Sophia Karbowski

Let's Roll (and Bowl)

What started off as a class project at TCU grew into a health food company that spans the nation. Austin Patry and Sophia Karbowski are the cofounders of Rollin n Bowlin, the first acai bowl establishment in Fort Worth, who sought to provide nutritional food to their fellow university students. These two are taking over college campuses by providing healthy smoothies and acai bowls and have begun offering their products on grocery store shelves.

Episode 60: Matthew Ciardiello

Pumped-Up Energy Storage

When it comes to renewable energy, Matthew Ciardiello is in rarified air. He is the CEO of Terrastor, a solution for dependable, carbon-neutral energy storage in the ground. His team's extensive knowledge of the energy sector is paving the way for a new form of energy storage and generation. He is harnessing the power of pressurized air, stored in porous rock, to create energy for high-demand use. He is one of many innovative entrepreneurs who are is making Fort Worth the Electrification Capital of the world.