In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and the dynamic duo from M25 that is Victor Gutwein (Managing Partner) and Mike Asem (Partner) talk about why they're so bullish on investing in the Midwest and how they became the most active Venture Capital firm in Silicon Prairie.



Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5



This episode is sponsored by Silicon Valley Bank:

https://www.svb.com



Learn more about Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io



Learn more about M25:

https://m25vc.com

In this episode of Startup Hustle, Matt DeCoursey and the dynamic duo from M25 that is Victor Gutwein (Managing Partner) and Mike Asem (Partner) talk about why they're so bullish on investing in the Midwest and how they became the most active Venture Capital firm in Silicon Prairie.
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
<a href="https://gigb.co/l/YEh5">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a>
 
This episode is sponsored by Silicon Valley Bank:
<a href="https://www.svb.com/">https://www.svb.com</a>
 
Learn more about Full Scale:
<a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io</a>
 
Learn more about M25:
<a href="https://m25vc.com/">https://m25vc.com</a>

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.   

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.&nbsp; With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.&nbsp; If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Startups, Entrepreneurship and Business are Not Easy

Startup Hustle

Startup Hustle is a podcast for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs.  With the mission of telling the real story of startups and entrepreneurs, topics range from funding to failure and beyond.  If you want to start, own, or build a business then you're in the right place.

Investing in the Midwest

Ever gotten hit with a chargeback? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the world of e-commerce fraud with Qi Cao, the co-founder and CEO of Chargeblast, a company helping merchants fight back against unfair chargebacks.



Qi Cao went from scientist to entrepreneur after experiencing the pain of chargebacks firsthand. Now, he's helping businesses win back revenue and avoid costly disputes. But Chargeblast's journey wasn't always smooth sailing. We'll hear how Qi Cao pivoted from B2C to B2B, bootstrapped his company, and leveraged data to achieve explosive growth.



We'll also discuss:


Chargebacks in e-commerce: Why merchants lose most disputes, and how to fight back.
Bootstrapping and growth strategies: How Chargeblast achieved success without venture capital.
Cost-saving hacks for startups: Cutting costs with AI tools and data-driven decisions.
The future of AI in FinTech: Separating hype from reality.



So buckle up, entrepreneurs! This episode offers insights to help you win the chargeback battle and grow your business.





Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5



This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io/



Visit the Chargeblast website: 

https://www.chargeblast.com/



Learn more about Qi Cao:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiuqi-cao/



Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:

https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/



Highlighted Discussion Points
Chargeblast is a startup that helps merchants maintain low chargeback rates by alerting them before payment processors. 0:31
Chargebacks in e-commerce, with insights on industries affected and strategies for resolving disputes. 8:47
Bootstrapping, unit economics, and growth strategies for startups. 13:06
Advertising strategies for early-stage companies, focusing on targeting and margin growth. 18:45
Cost-saving strategies for businesses, including using AI tools and tracking ROI. 23:48
AI in finance, Chargeblast's product, and entrepreneurship advice. 30:21

Ever gotten hit with a chargeback? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive into the world of e-commerce fraud with Qi Cao, the co-founder and CEO of Chargeblast, a company helping merchants fight back against unfair chargebacks.
 
Qi Cao went from scientist to entrepreneur after experiencing the pain of chargebacks firsthand. Now, he's helping businesses win back revenue and avoid costly disputes. But Chargeblast's journey wasn't always smooth sailing. We'll hear how Qi Cao pivoted from B2C to B2B, bootstrapped his company, and leveraged data to achieve explosive growth.
 
We'll also discuss:
 
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Chargebacks in e-commerce: Why merchants lose most disputes, and how to fight back.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Bootstrapping and growth strategies: How Chargeblast achieved success without venture capital.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Cost-saving hacks for startups: Cutting costs with AI tools and data-driven decisions.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The future of AI in FinTech: Separating hype from reality.</li>
</ul>
 
So buckle up, entrepreneurs! This episode offers insights to help you win the chargeback battle and grow your business.
 
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
<a href="https://gigb.co/l/YEh5">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a>
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
<a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io/</a>
 
Visit the Chargeblast website: 
<a href="https://www.chargeblast.com/">https://www.chargeblast.com/</a> 
 
Learn more about Qi Cao:
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiuqi-cao/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiuqi-cao/</a> 
 
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
<a href="https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/">https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/</a> 
 
Highlighted Discussion Points
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Chargeblast is a startup that helps merchants maintain low chargeback rates by alerting them before payment processors. 0:31</li>
<li aria-level="1">Chargebacks in e-commerce, with insights on industries affected and strategies for resolving disputes. 8:47</li>
<li aria-level="1">Bootstrapping, unit economics, and growth strategies for startups. 13:06</li>
<li aria-level="1">Advertising strategies for early-stage companies, focusing on targeting and margin growth. 18:45</li>
<li aria-level="1">Cost-saving strategies for businesses, including using AI tools and tracking ROI. 23:48</li>
<li aria-level="1">AI in finance, Chargeblast's product, and entrepreneurship advice. 30:21</li>
</ul>

Pivoting & Bootstrapping to 1000 Customers

Tired of your tedious onboarding routines for new hires and useless knowledge bases no one seems to use?

This episode of Startup Hustle is your guide to conquering knowledge transfer in the digital age. We chat with Greg DeVore, CEO of ScreenSteps, a software platform that's helping companies slash onboarding times and boost employee productivity.

In this episode, you'll learn:
How to ditch the clunky manuals and build a system for capturing and organizing knowledge fast.
A sneaky trick to separate foundational knowledge from step-by-step instructions, making training materials easier to digest for everyone.
Why ScreenSteps is like a helpful but opinionated friend, guiding users through processes with laser focus.
How AI is revolutionizing knowledge management, reducing onboarding times by a whopping 75%! (But beware of AI's love of bad data!)
The secrets to running a successful business for 20 years, even with your siblings! (Hint: ditch the ego and embrace collaboration.)

Whether you're a frustrated new hire drowning in documents or a business leader battling knowledge silos, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build a thriving, informed workforce.



Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5



This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io



Visit the ScreenSteps website: 

https://www.screensteps.com



Connect with Greg DeVore:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdevore



Sign up for Startup Hustle's newsletter:

https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz



Highlighted Discussion Points
Knowledge transfer and software development with a focus on ScreenSteps, a knowledge operations platform. 0:51
How to improve knowledge transfer in organizations by separating foundational and actual knowledge. 4:25
Creating opinionated software for onboarding and training. 8:51
Using AI to improve knowledge management and employee training. 12:51
Using AI in software development, including concerns about accuracy and communication. 17:36
Running a business with brothers for 20 years, raising capital, and aligning with the right investor. 22:51
Knowledge transfer and growth strategies for businesses. 27:35
Changing market behavior and using AI in regulated industries. 33:39

Tired of your tedious onboarding routines for new hires and useless knowledge bases no one seems to use?
This episode of Startup Hustle is your guide to conquering knowledge transfer in the digital age. We chat with Greg DeVore, CEO of ScreenSteps, a software platform that's helping companies slash onboarding times and boost employee productivity.
In this episode, you'll learn:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How to ditch the clunky manuals and build a system for capturing and organizing knowledge fast.</li>
<li aria-level="1">A sneaky trick to separate foundational knowledge from step-by-step instructions, making training materials easier to digest for everyone.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why ScreenSteps is like a helpful but opinionated friend, guiding users through processes with laser focus.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How AI is revolutionizing knowledge management, reducing onboarding times by a whopping 75%! (But beware of AI's love of bad data!)</li>
<li aria-level="1">The secrets to running a successful business for 20 years, even with your siblings! (Hint: ditch the ego and embrace collaboration.)</li>
</ul>
Whether you're a frustrated new hire drowning in documents or a business leader battling knowledge silos, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you build a thriving, informed workforce.
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
<a href="https://gigb.co/l/YEh5">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a>
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
<a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io</a>
 
Visit the ScreenSteps website: 
<a href="https://www.screensteps.com/">https://www.screensteps.com</a>
 
Connect with Greg DeVore:
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdevore/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregdevore</a>  
 
Sign up for Startup Hustle's newsletter:
<a href="https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/">https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz</a>
 
Highlighted Discussion Points
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Knowledge transfer and software development with a focus on ScreenSteps, a knowledge operations platform. 0:51</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to improve knowledge transfer in organizations by separating foundational and actual knowledge. 4:25</li>
<li aria-level="1">Creating opinionated software for onboarding and training. 8:51</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using AI to improve knowledge management and employee training. 12:51</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using AI in software development, including concerns about accuracy and communication. 17:36</li>
<li aria-level="1">Running a business with brothers for 20 years, raising capital, and aligning with the right investor. 22:51</li>
<li aria-level="1">Knowledge transfer and growth strategies for businesses. 27:35</li>
<li aria-level="1">Changing market behavior and using AI in regulated industries. 33:39</li>
</ul>

The Power of Knowledge & Bootstrapping for 20 years

In this compelling episode, join Matt Watson as he sits down with Stefan Schmidt, a seasoned CTO coach and author of the acclaimed book "Amazing CTO." Together, they discuss the pivotal role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), exploring crucial insights on when to bring one on board and the critical errors to avoid in the selection process.

Stefan underscores the importance of idea validation before engaging a CTO or developer and suggests starting with a PowerPoint slide deck to gather feedback. Moreover, he advocates for aligning with a co-founder who not only shares the product vision but also has industry expertise.

As the conversation unfolds, Stefan navigates the intricacies of company expansion, underscoring the pivotal role of delegating tasks and strategically appointing team leaders. He underscores the critical need for CTOs to shift towards strategic direction, avoiding the trap of being consumed by routine coding tasks.

Leveraging his wealth of experience, Stefan's book serves as a treasure trove of wisdom, providing CTOs with 140 actionable rules meticulously tailored to their needs. From mastering delegation techniques to nurturing employee growth and circumventing common challenges, his insights offer indispensable guidance for navigating the ever-evolving realm of technology leadership.



Takeaways
Validate your idea before hiring a CTO or developer
Find a co-founder who shares the product vision and has experience in the industry
Delegate tasks and hire team leads as the company grows
Focus on strategy and vision as a CTO, rather than getting caught up in day-to-day coding



Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:

https://gigb.co/l/YEh5



This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:

https://fullscale.io



Visit the Amazing CTO website: 

https://www.amazingcto.com



Learn more about Stephan Schmidt:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanjschmidt



Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:

https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz



Highlighted Discussion Points
Validating startup ideas before hiring developers. 0:51
Finding a technical co-founder for a startup. 5:22
Hiring a CTO for early-stage startups, with insights on product vision, ownership, and team leadership. 10:13
Challenges faced by CTOs in scaling their teams, including delegation, team leads, and maintaining technical expertise. 17:30
CTOs prototyping and delegating tasks to bring joy to the job. 26:37
CTO coaching, delegation, and leadership challenges. 30:47

In this compelling episode, join Matt Watson as he sits down with Stefan Schmidt, a seasoned CTO coach and author of the acclaimed book "Amazing CTO." Together, they discuss the pivotal role of a Chief Technology Officer (CTO), exploring crucial insights on when to bring one on board and the critical errors to avoid in the selection process.
Stefan underscores the importance of idea validation before engaging a CTO or developer and suggests starting with a PowerPoint slide deck to gather feedback. Moreover, he advocates for aligning with a co-founder who not only shares the product vision but also has industry expertise.
As the conversation unfolds, Stefan navigates the intricacies of company expansion, underscoring the pivotal role of delegating tasks and strategically appointing team leaders. He underscores the critical need for CTOs to shift towards strategic direction, avoiding the trap of being consumed by routine coding tasks.
Leveraging his wealth of experience, Stefan's book serves as a treasure trove of wisdom, providing CTOs with 140 actionable rules meticulously tailored to their needs. From mastering delegation techniques to nurturing employee growth and circumventing common challenges, his insights offer indispensable guidance for navigating the ever-evolving realm of technology leadership.
 
Takeaways
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Validate your idea before hiring a CTO or developer</li>
<li aria-level="1">Find a co-founder who shares the product vision and has experience in the industry</li>
<li aria-level="1">Delegate tasks and hire team leads as the company grows</li>
<li aria-level="1">Focus on strategy and vision as a CTO, rather than getting caught up in day-to-day coding</li>
</ul>
 
Find Startup Hustle Everywhere:
<a href="https://gigb.co/l/YEh5">https://gigb.co/l/YEh5</a>
 
This episode is sponsored by Full Scale:
<a href="https://fullscale.io/">https://fullscale.io</a>
 
Visit the Amazing CTO website: 
<a href="https://www.amazingcto.com/">https://www.amazingcto.com</a>
 
Learn more about Stephan Schmidt:
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanjschmidt/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanjschmidt</a>
 
Sign up for the Startup Hustle newsletter:
<a href="https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz/">https://newsletter.startuphustle.xyz</a> 
 
Highlighted Discussion Points
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Validating startup ideas before hiring developers. 0:51</li>
<li aria-level="1">Finding a technical co-founder for a startup. 5:22</li>
<li aria-level="1">Hiring a CTO for early-stage startups, with insights on product vision, ownership, and team leadership. 10:13</li>
<li aria-level="1">Challenges faced by CTOs in scaling their teams, including delegation, team leads, and maintaining technical expertise. 17:30</li>
<li aria-level="1">CTOs prototyping and delegating tasks to bring joy to the job. 26:37</li>
<li aria-level="1">CTO coaching, delegation, and leadership challenges. 30:47</li>
</ul>

Investing in the Midwest

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