Midcon Markup

In a world where talent is evenly distributed but venture capital is concentrated in coastal silos, smart startup money is heading for the Midcontinent. The MidCon Markup podcast uncovers the inspiring stories of our visionary tech entrepreneurs and the investors who believe in them. Listen, learn, and make your Midcon Markup! Hosted by Cortado Ventures.

Listen on:

  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podbean App
  • Spotify
  • Amazon Music
  • Samsung
  • Podchaser

Episodes

Thursday Jul 18, 2024

With expertise in AI, nuclear power, cybersecurity efforts, and risk mitigation, Hart Brown offers a unique perspective on geopolitics. Informed by 20 years of experience in both government and private sectors, Hart now consults with top global entities to future proof their operations and security. You won't want to miss his insight on incorporating AI on personal and organizational levels!

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024

Born, raised, and educated in Tulsa, Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell had a limited perspective but a strong passion for broadening his perspective. In his college years and early career, he learned to prioritize discussion with people of diverse perspectives and life experiences. This habit led him to a career in politics where he is now tasked with maximizing our local resources and governing equally on behalf of all Oklahomans, whether old or young, rural or urban, rich or poor.

Thursday Jun 20, 2024

Renzi Stone grew up in Tulsa and has built a career in Oklahoma City where he solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor on the court and in the business world. When a short-lived professional basketball career finished, Renzi pivoted - and applied the same lessons learned from the hardwood to the boardroom. Tune in to hear how this seasoned entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the professional services sector is leaving an indelible mark on the Oklahoma City community and skyline!

Monday Jun 10, 2024

Tune in to the 8th episode of #MidconMarkup, where host Cody Merrill has an eye-opening conversation about the good, the bad, & the ugly of the postpartum experience with special guest Dr. Pinkey Patel, CEO and founder of Myri Health. Dr. Patel’s healthcare career as a pharmacist and pre/postnatal trainer has allowed her to see firsthand how the system was failing women. Myri was born out of her passion and the feedback of thousands of moms - but getting male-dominated VCs to buy in? That's been a whole other challenge. Join us as Dr. Patel talks about the startup hustle and how she is on a mission to drive systemic change and make sure no new mom ever feels alone again.

Thursday Apr 25, 2024

Tune in to hear Cortado portco CEO Martin Lien share about realizing his lifelong dream of being a venture-backed tech founder in the United States and how he leverages his unique background to create sustained organizational success.

Thursday Jan 11, 2024

It's not every day that you get to hear from a core management team member behind a $2B transaction. Tune in to hear how Cortado Portco CEO Blake Bixler helped drive meteoric growth in midstream energy and why he chose to invest and become the CEO of an AI analytics company poised to disrupt the energy industry and numerous other legacy sectors with a footprint in the Midcontinent.

Thursday Jan 04, 2024

Investors like when founders have a personal connection with the problem they are solving, but when it comes to women's health, sometimes it can be difficult to share. Watkins-Conti CEO Allison Watkins shares her incredible journey into entrepreneurship that gives new meaning to "necessity is the mother of invention."

Tuesday Dec 12, 2023

While some professionals pursue careers in law or investment banking, others pursue venture capital. One anomaly out there has managed to do all three before the age of 30 with stops at USC and Harvard Law along the way. Tune into our latest MidCon Markup episode with Oklahoma's own Bear Federman to learn the method to his high achieving madness.

Thursday Nov 02, 2023

Cortado Ventures' Investment Principal Susan Moring shares practical insights instructing founders how to pursue investment from Cortado and other VCs. Hint: It takes a lot of follow-up!

Wednesday Oct 18, 2023

The Dos Equis marketing department misfired when they chose someone else for their Most Interesting Man in World campaign. Coming from a family with humble beginnings and developing a distaste for formal education throughout childhood, Scott Klososky blazed his own trail with entrepreneurship that includes a $115M exit, a unicorn IPO, a joint-venture with the Soviet Union, and an internationally acclaimed speaking and consulting program centered on futurism. You might expect Scott to spend half the year on a yacht in the Mediterranean, but instead, he continues to spend his free time tinkering with the latest AI tools and scheming about pathways to success in the age of automation.

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Cortado Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in ambitious, growth-driven companies, backing a new generation of economic prosperity for the Midcontinent region, defined as Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. As one of the largest VC funds in Oklahoma, Cortado’s focus is on tech companies bringing innovative solutions to the energy and logistics, life sciences, and the future of work sectors. For more information, visit cortado.ventures.

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