What happens when a seasoned entrepreneur spots a gap in the market and decides to take a risk on something entirely new? For Jason Widen, it’s led him from founding Raleigh Founded, a cornerstone of the Triangle’s startup ecosystem, to creating Blue Co. – a flexible warehouse solution designed for service-based businesses.

In this episode, Jason shares his journey of building community-driven businesses, from his early days working at a ski resort to launching Raleigh Founded and now expanding his vision with Blueco. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to pivot, scale, and truly make an impact in your community, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

Tune in to hear:

• How Jason’s early entrepreneurial experiences shaped his work ethic and future ventures.
• The story behind Raleigh Founded and its pivotal role in connecting Triangle entrepreneurs.
• Why Jason saw a need for Blue Co. – a flexible warehousing solution – and how it supports small businesses like plumbers, electricians, and moving companies.
• The lessons Jason learned from building and scaling businesses in hospitality, real estate, and co-working.
• Jason’s future vision for Blue Co. and his strategy for expanding across the Southeast.

Where to Find Jason Widen:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonwiden
• Blue Co.: https://www.bluecowarehousing.com/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:03:00) Jason’s early years and how a ski resort job sparked his entrepreneurial spirit.
(00:10:15) The start of Raleigh Founded, a co-working space that grew into a hub for Triangle entrepreneurs.
(00:18:00) The inception of Blue Co., a flexible warehouse solution for plumbers, electricians, and moving companies.
(00:26:30) Real-world lessons from Jason’s ventures, including the challenges of starting a restaurant and building a real estate empire.
(00:38:05) Scaling Blue Co. and Jason’s plans for expanding across the Southeast.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Chris Heivly’s journey through the tech world is one for the books, literally - thanks to his deep-rooted love of maps. From his early days studying geography and computer mapping to shaping the future of internet navigation with MapQuest, Chris shares an inspiring story of innovation, risk, and community-building.

In this episode, we explore Chris’s entrepreneurial journey, discussing everything from his time building map systems for the U.S. State Department to his pivot into founding one of the Triangle’s first startup accelerators, the Triangle Startup Factory.

Tune in to hear:

• Chris’s early fascination with maps and how it led him to become a leader in the tech space.
• The inside story of MapQuest and its revolutionary role in the rise of online mapping, years before Google Maps.
• The entrepreneurial lessons Chris learned while transitioning from MapQuest to venture capital.
• Insights from running one of the first accelerators in the Triangle and how it shaped the region’s startup ecosystem.
• Stories of standout companies from the Triangle Startup Factory, including the success of Archive Social.

Where to Find Chris Heivly:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisheivly/
• Build the Fort Blog: https://heivly.com/blog/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:03:00) Chris's love of maps and how it shaped his career from geography major to tech innovator.

(00:10:15) The breakthrough moment: from computer mapping to building mapping systems for the U.S. State Department.

(00:17:45) The story of MapQuest’s creation, why it was so ahead of its time, and how it revolutionized navigation.

(00:27:30) Chris’s time at Donnelly and the strategic decisions that led to MapQuest's success.

(00:38:05) The evolution from VC to accelerator: Chris’s journey building the Triangle Startup Factory and shaping the local ecosystem.

(00:46:52) Chris’s key lessons for startup founders and how to build a lasting legacy.

In the news:

• Going Against the Flow: Chris Heivly, Managing Director of The Startup Factory: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/going-against-the-flow-ch_b_10596620
• One-on-one: ‘Startup Whisperer’ Chris Heivly talks Raleigh-Durham Startup Week, Triangle’s success, new book: https://wraltechwire.com/2023/04/19/one-on-one-startup-whisperer-chris-heivly-talks-raleigh-durham-startup-week-triangles-success-new-book/

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

If you ask someone what’s at the heart of a successful engineering team, the answer might involve tools, talent, or tech. But Hersh Tapadia, CEO and co-founder of Allstacks, believes it all starts with one thing: measurable productivity. While we all know engineering teams face unique challenges, Allstacks is tackling the toughest one—how to measure and improve engineering productivity at scale.

In today’s episode, we talk to Hersh about his journey, from growing up in Raleigh to leading a company that's reshaping the way engineering teams operate. Hersh shares how Allstacks went from a consulting business to a product-driven company, the challenges of raising capital, and what he’s learned about engineering productivity in the process.

Tune in to hear:

• Hersh’s path to founding Allstacks and his early struggles with raising capital.
• The challenge of measuring engineering productivity and how Allstacks solves it with data.
• Insights on making the leap from consulting to product development and what tech companies need to understand about the market.
• The future of engineering productivity—how AI is playing a role in tracking performance.
• Lessons learned from building a dev-tech startup in a competitive space.

Where to Find Hersh Tapadia:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershtapadia
• Allstacks: https://www.allstacks.com

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:
(00:03:00) From Raleigh to Allstacks – How Hersh’s journey led him to build a product that’s changing the game for engineering teams.
(00:10:15) The Early Days – Raising capital, finding product-market fit, and making the leap from consulting to product development.
(00:17:45) The Allstacks Approach – How data can drive engineering productivity and why it’s more than just tracking output.
(00:27:30) Navigating the Tech Space – The challenges of scaling in the dev-tech world and the lessons learned along the way.
(00:38:05) The Future of Engineering Productivity – What’s next for engineering teams and how AI is shaping the way they work.
(00:46:52) Lessons for Founders – Hersh’s hard-earned wisdom on building a company, raising capital, and navigating the startup rollercoaster.

In the news:

• Allstacks raises $20M to help engineering teams measure productivity: https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/30/allstacks-raises-20m-productivity/
• How Allstacks is changing the way engineering teams measure success: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hersh-tapadia-allstacks/
• The Importance of Data-Driven Engineering Teams in 2025: https://www.businessinsider.com/data-driven-engg-productivity-allstacks

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Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

If you ask anyone about the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triangle, one name that keeps coming up is Dr. Tom Miller. Known as the champion of engineering entrepreneurship at NC State, Tom has been pivotal in shaping the region’s startup culture for over 40 years. From his early days in eastern North Carolina to founding the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program, his influence is felt across generations of entrepreneurs.

Today, we sit down with Dr. Miller to hear his journey, the creation of the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program, his work with students like Bill Nussey and Chris Evans, and his thoughts on the evolving role of entrepreneurship in education.

In this episode:

• Dr. Miller’s Early Years – Growing up in eastern North Carolina and how his humble beginnings fueled his curiosity in technology and entrepreneurship.
• The Spark at NC State – How a professor’s advice led him to take the leap from big corporations to the startup world.
• Founding the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program – Building the foundation for NC State's first program designed to foster entrepreneurship in engineers.
• The DaVinci Story – How students from his program, like Bill Nussey and Chris Evans, founded DaVinci, a revolutionary tech startup.
• Transforming the Triangle – Tom’s role in developing a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Triangle, impacting thousands of students.
• The Entrepreneurial Mindset – What it takes to build successful startups and why entrepreneurs should embrace risk and failure.
• Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs – Dr. Miller’s invaluable advice on navigating university systems, securing funding, and building sustainable businesses.

Where to Find Dr. Tom Miller:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkmiller/

Where to Find Scot Wingo:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thescotwingo/
• Tweener Times: https://www.tweenertimes.com/
• X: https://x.com/scotwingo

In this episode:

• (00:03:00) Growing Up in Eastern North Carolina – How Tom’s early experiences shaped his path into technology and entrepreneurship.
• (00:08:26) From Big Corporations to Startups – The moment Tom took the leap from IBM and Motorola to the world of startups.
• (00:14:57) Founding the Engineering Entrepreneurs Program – How Tom built the foundation for engineering-focused entrepreneurship at NC State.
• (00:27:12) The DaVinci Success Story – How Bill Nussey and Chris Evans took the lessons from the program to launch DaVinci and make their mark.
• (00:39:28) Transforming Education – Tom’s role in reshaping the university’s approach to entrepreneurship and how it impacted thousands of students.
• (00:52:13) The Entrepreneurial Mindset – Why embracing failure and risk is essential for founders.
• (01:05:00) Lessons for the Next Generation – Advice Tom would give to young entrepreneurs looking to build their own startups.
• (01:15:40) The Triangle’s Startup Ecosystem – How the region evolved into a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

In the news:

• Remembering Marshall Brain, Founder of HowStuffWorks: https://history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/marshall-brain.htm

Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Who will be crowned champion of Tweener Madness and take home the $25K investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund?

The championship features two radically different approaches to innovation:

• ZW (Robert Fu) – An AI-powered platform helping manufacturers optimize production and R&D in complex industries.
• InviteJet (Brian Watson & Paul Davis) – A calendar-based marketing solution helping brands reach customers at exactly the right time.

ZW (Robert Fu)

• Platform suite includes ZAI, ZMAP, and ZFastQ—each targeting different needs in manufacturing and R&D.
• Combines deep manufacturing experience with proprietary AI to handle data-heavy optimization challenges.
• Focused on proof-of-concept engagements with industrial clients, including those looking to reduce energy use or improve yield.
• Emphasizes speed over patents—lean team, bootstrapped hustle, and decades of industry know-how.
• Looking to build out sales and marketing strategy with targeted funding.

InviteJet (Brian Watson & Paul Davis)

• Pioneering “calendar marketing” with branded invites that sync to customers’ calendars for product drops, shipping alerts, and events.
• Deep integrations with Shopify, Klaviyo, and Mailchimp; strong early traction with eComm brands.
• Clear technical moat in managing cross-platform calendar compatibility and high-scale deliverability.
• Future plans include AI-powered segmentation and automation, plus agency partnerships to scale distribution.
• Big focus on customer education and making a brand’s most important moments unmissable.

Selection Committee

• Robbie Allen – General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund
• Nikita Ramaswamy – Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund
• Scot Wingo – Host & General Partner, Triangle Tweener Fund

Key Discussion Topics

🧠 ZW’s Highlights

• Custom AI models built to solve complex, high-variable industrial problems
• Strong market understanding from years inside Corning and similar legacy companies
• Sales strategy driven by proof-of-concept deals and existing network relationships
• Bootstrapped and scrappy: trade shows, peanut butter sandwiches, and real customer traction
• Plans to scale with the right sales hire and targeted marketing spend

📅 InviteJet’s Highlights

• Calendar invites as a new marketing channel—high visibility, minimal friction, big conversion potential
• Built-in unsubscribe controls, multi-tenant tools, and robust integration roadmap
• Not chasing trends: AI is in the plan but not the product’s core value
• Early success with brands doing weekly drops and time-sensitive promos
• Clear-eyed about the challenges of educating the market—and excited to lead the way

📌 Timestamps
(00:00:04) – Championship kickoff with Scot Wingo
(00:01:25) – ZW fields questions on product, AI architecture, and industrial go-to-market
(00:27:04) – InviteJet dives into scaling, technical differentiation, customer retention, and future roadmap
(01:02:47) – Selection committee debrief and reflections on both companies

So who wins? 🏆 Tune in to find out!

This episode wraps up the Tweener Madness series, where eight Triangle startups competed for a $25K investment and plenty of local bragging rights.

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

Who’s Advancing from the Fabulous Four - CivicReach or InviteJet?

Welcome back to Triangle Tweener Madness, the high-stakes startup tournament where eight companies go head-to-head for a $25,000 investment from the Triangle Tweener Fund!

We’re down to the Fabulous Four, and this week’s semifinal is a clash between a calendar-powered marketing platform and a voice AI company transforming local government services. Two bold visions. One coveted spot in the finals.

Let’s meet the contenders.

🔹 InviteJet (Paul Davis & Brian Watson) – A marketing platform that lets brands send calendar invites—yes, calendar invites—to their customers. With integrations into tools like Klaviyo and Mailchimp, InviteJet gives brands a new channel for time-based marketing. Early traction shows that calendar invites can outperform email when it comes to urgency and engagement, especially with unengaged audiences.

🔹 CivicReach (Chip Kennedy) – A voice AI platform built to modernize how local governments serve their residents. CivicReach helps cities and counties automatically answer incoming calls, reducing costs and relieving overworked staff. With integrations into CRMs and payment systems, CivicReach is on a mission to improve public service delivery—without increasing headcount.

🎤 InviteJet’s Pitch

• Provides an alternative to crowded inboxes using calendar invites as a persistent, underutilized communication channel.
• Helps brands boost conversions during product launches, sales events, shipping cutoffs, and re-engagement campaigns.
• Built-in unsubscribe features, strong deliverability, and a UX designed for different calendar clients.
• Exploring a pricing evolution from tiered subscription to usage-based.
• Technical moat in managing calendar clients (Google, Outlook, Apple) and formatting consistent, branded experiences.

🎤 CivicReach’s Pitch

• Targets a clear pain point for cities drowning in calls but short on staff or call center support.
• Focused on voice AI that can route, answer, and assist callers with accurate, up-to-date info—customized to each city’s needs.
• Emphasizes cost savings, improved customer experience, and integrations with existing systems.
• Moat includes proprietary speech-to-text and integrations tailored to government use cases, as well as a custom data layer.
• Structured pilots lead to multi-year contracts, with pricing transparency and ROI baked in from day one.

Selection Committee

• Zakiya Alta Lee-Hill – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakiyaaltalee/
• Antony Rotoli – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyrotoli/
• Mitch Mumma – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchmumma/

📌 Timestamps
(00:00:35) – Scot Wingo kicks off the InviteJet vs. CivicReach semifinal showdown.
(00:01:31) – InviteJet answers questions on market education, technical complexity, customer success stories, and pricing models.
(00:23:34) – CivicReach fields questions on ROI, government buying cycles, integration strategies, and its founding story.
(00:41:36) – Founders reflect on the mission, momentum, and long-term potential.
(00:43:12) – The selection committee deliberates.
(00:50:33) – One company advances to the Tweener Madness finals!

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/

What if the most powerful tool for success as an entrepreneur isn’t the latest strategy or tech hack—but the way you perceive and process every challenge you face?

In this episode of Triangle Tweener Talks, guest host Rebecca Ross sits down with Katherine Krupka, a leadership strategist and executive coach, to dive into the powerful connection between leadership, perception, and decision-making. Katherine has worked with leaders around the world, from embassies to startups, helping them unlock deeper levels of wisdom and navigate uncertainty. She’s bringing all of her expertise to Raleigh Durham Startup Week as a keynote speaker, and she’s here to share a sneak peek of what attendees can expect.

You’ll hear Katherine discuss:

• The biggest misconception about leadership
• How perception shapes outcomes, both in business and personal life
• Why founders should cultivate their “inner game” for stronger leadership
• How leveraging unconscious potential can help you make decisions faster and more effectively
• And much more!

If you’re a founder or executive struggling with uncertainty and high-stakes decisions, Katherine’s talk is not to be missed at Raleigh Durham Startup Week on April 8th.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership isn't just about strategy and decision-making—it’s about how you perceive and process information.
• Cultivating both your conscious and unconscious mind (your “inner game”) is essential for navigating the complexities of leadership.
• The ability to tap into your intuition can help you make better decisions faster and stay calm under pressure.

Links Mentioned:

• Raleigh Durham Startup Week: https://www.raleighdurhamstartupweek.com/
• Connect with Katherine Krupka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinekrupka/

🎙️ Triangle Tweener Talks is (usually) hosted by Scot Wingo, presented by Triangle Tweener Fund, and produced by Walk West.

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Triangle Tweener Talks is sponsored by:

• Atomic Object: https://atomicobject.com/