Founding Philly

Roundtable Series w/ Charlie Andersen, Joe Biancaniello, Samuel Reeves, and Chris McDemus Ep 4 | Founding Philly

This episode is sponsored by J.P. Morgan [https://www.jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/startups] and Cozen O'Connor [https://www.cozen.com/practices/business/emerging-business-venture-capital].  --- In this episode of Founding Philly, I sit down with Charlie Anderson of Burro, Samuel Reeves of Fort Robotics, Joe Biancaniello of J.P. Morgan, and Chris McDemus of Cozen O’Connor for a roundtable conversation on robotics, physical AI, and what it takes to build ambitious companies in Philadelphia. This episode is part of the Roundtable Series, a new format of Founding Philly. Same mission, spotlighting the startup journey, now with more voices at the table from across the Philly ecosystem. We kick things off with the founder journeys behind Burro and Fort Robotics. Charlie shares how growing up on a farm and working in agricultural equipment eventually led him to start Burro, a robotics company now shipping autonomous machines used in environments like vineyards and warehouses. Samuel tells the story of how his path into robotics began with an entirely different goal, solving the global landmine problem, which ultimately led to building Fort Robotics, a platform focused on safety for autonomous machines. From there, the conversation shifts to the broader robotics landscape and the emergence of what many are calling physical AI, artificial intelligence applied to machines operating in the real world. Unlike digital AI systems like ChatGPT, physical AI must navigate unpredictable environments and operate safely around people. That complexity means robotics companies often have to build across hardware, software, and AI all at once, something that makes these businesses fundamentally different from traditional software startups. We also explore how robotics companies scale. Charlie explains why deploying real robots in the field is critical, since each machine generates the data needed to improve autonomy over time. The more robots operating in the world, the better the systems become. Joe adds an important perspective on the economics behind these businesses, highlighting the difference between software and robotics. While software can be copied and deployed instantly, robotics companies must design, manufacture, and support physical machines, making the path to scale more capital intensive but potentially just as transformative. The group also discusses the role of bold, moonshot visions in driving innovation. From autonomous vehicles to humanoid robots, big ideas often attract the investment needed to push frontier technologies forward, even if the timelines take longer than expected. Toward the end of the conversation, we touch on how the rise of ChatGPT and generative AI has brought renewed attention to robotics, and how emerging capabilities like voice interfaces could change the way humans interact with machines. We close with a discussion about building in Philadelphia, what the region does well, and where it still needs to improve. The consensus is that Philly has incredible talent, grit, and livability, but still struggles with early stage capital and startup density. If those gaps can be addressed, the group believes Philadelphia has the ingredients to become a meaningful hub for robotics and physical AI. Whether you are building in robotics, exploring frontier technologies, or thinking about how startups grow outside of traditional tech hubs, this episode offers an inside look at the realities of scaling physical AI companies and the founders working to build them. The Roundtable Series is recorded at the Fitler Club, to learn more check out https://fitlerclub.com/ [https://fitlerclub.com/].

BFTP GO PA Fund, Director Aston Pierce | Founding Philly Ep. 53

This episode is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs [https://lift.comcast.com/].  --- In this episode of Founding Philly, I sit down with Aston Pierce, Director of the BFTP GO PA Fund, to explore how Ben Franklin Technology Partners has supported Pennsylvania startups for nearly 40 years — and why building a durable ecosystem requires more than early-stage checks. We unpack the funding gaps that can stall promising companies and how Ben Franklin’s for-profit follow-on funds were created to keep backing the strongest teams while recycling capital back into the region. Aston shares his non-linear path into venture, moving from fund-of-funds investing into early-stage VC and growth equity. That cross-stage experience gives him a full-lifecycle lens — from pre-product market fit to scaled revenue — and shapes Ben Franklin’s focus on “venture growth” companies ready to professionalize and expand. We break down Ben Franklin’s statewide model and the constraint of grant-based capital, which led to the launch of GO Philly (2019) and GO PA (2023). These funds invest follow-on capital into portfolio companies with institutional leads, targeting the critical “in-between” stage: post-revenue startups with product-market fit that aren’t yet large enough for traditional growth equity. Aston also shares what he looks for in founders: clarity of purpose, a real and urgent customer pain point, and products that clearly increase revenue or reduce costs — backed by measurable ROI. Portfolio examples across software, robotics, and operational automation reinforce a consistent theme: usefulness over hype. We close by looking ahead to Fund II’s deployment, Fund I’s path to liquidity, and the broader ambition to grow larger pools of follow-on capital that keep Pennsylvania companies funded longer — strengthening the region’s innovation flywheel for the long term.

1Philadelphia Executive Director & Coded By CEO, Danae Mobley | Founding Philly Ep. 52

This episode is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs [https://lift.comcast.com/].  --- In this episode of Founding Philly, I sit down with Danae Mobley, CEO of Coded By and Executive Director of 1Philadelphia, to explore what it really takes to build a durable startup ecosystem — and why talent, endurance, and consistency matter more than chasing the next big trend. Danae’s path into ecosystem leadership didn’t start in tech. It began in education, teaching fifth and sixth grade through Teach For America, where she first saw how outcomes are shaped by forces far beyond the classroom. That experience led her into city and regional planning, where she learned how policy, infrastructure, and coalition-building create the conditions for communities to thrive. That systems-level perspective now shapes her work at Coded By, a nonprofit focused on developing the next generation of tech and innovation leaders. Danae shares how the organization has evolved from early exposure to coding into a long-term talent pipeline, supporting young people from ages 8 to 24 with a focus on adaptability, leadership, and entrepreneurship in an increasingly AI-driven world. We also unpack the origins of 1Philadelphia, which grew out of a realization that access to the tech ecosystem couldn’t stop with students alone. Danae explains how the organization works to coordinate founders, nonprofits, universities, corporates, and government — reducing redundancy, filling gaps, and focusing more intentionally on early-stage founders who want to build and scale in Philly. Our conversation dives into Philly Tech Week and Innovation Weekend, two cornerstone moments for the local ecosystem. Danae reflects on taking the reins of Philly Tech Week, honoring its legacy while expanding its reach, and shares how Innovation Weekend has become a platform for bringing national perspectives into the city. A recurring theme across both events: endurance — for founders, for organizations, and for Philadelphia itself. We also explore how AI is reshaping conversations around access. While the barriers to building have never been lower, Danae cautions against treating AI as a shortcut, emphasizing that tools only create opportunity when people are prepared to use them well. Finally, we zoom out to Philadelphia’s future. Danae challenges the idea that the city needs to “pick a winning industry,” arguing instead that Philly’s real opportunity lies in investing deeply in people. Her vision is a city known for exceptional talent, where founders choose to stay, build, and reinvest — and where “Building in Philly” feels like the obvious choice. Whether you’re a founder, operator, ecosystem builder, or someone invested in the future of Philadelphia’s tech scene, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded look at how strong ecosystems are built — slowly, intentionally, and with people at the center.

Robin Hood Ventures, Executive Director Ellen Weber | Founding Philly Ep. 51

This episode is sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs [https://lift.comcast.com/].  --- In this episode of Founding Philly, I sit down with Ellen Weber, Executive Director of Robin Hood Ventures, to unpack what really happens when founders pitch angel investors — and what early-stage investors are actually listening for. Ellen’s journey into early-stage investing started in consulting and corporate tech before she helped launch Robin Hood Ventures. She shares how supporting entrepreneurs, building teams, and navigating innovation early in her career shaped the investor she is today. Ellen breaks down the most common mistakes founders make, the red flags that show up instantly, and why a clear value proposition is still the strongest signal of founder readiness. She also walks through how angel groups evaluate companies behind the scenes, offering a rare look into the decision-making process after a founder leaves the room. We also explore the realities of building AI companies in 2025. While AI is the buzzword of the moment, Ellen explains why so many AI pitches lack clarity — and what founders need to do to articulate real, defensible value as the technology evolves at breakneck speed. We discuss the Philly startup ecosystem, reflecting on the city’s strengths and where it still needs to grow. Ellen highlights Philadelphia’s strong conveners, collaborative investor community, and deep bench of operators who genuinely want to help founders succeed. But she also points to the gaps: the need for more fluidity between big companies and startups, more visibility for local innovation, and more national investment attention. As Ellen puts it, “People want startups to be successful here — you just have to find the door.” We close with practical advice for founders who want to pitch Robin Hood. Ellen outlines how to get connected, what makes an application stand out, and the importance of finding a champion inside the room — someone who believes in you and advocates for your deal when you’re not present. Whether you’re an early-stage founder preparing to pitch, an operator curious about how angels think, or someone invested in the future of Philly’s tech scene, this episode offers clear, candid insight into investor dynamics, early-stage readiness, and the ingredients needed to grow a thriving startup ecosystem.

Roundtable Series w/ Ted Mann, Joe Biancaniello, Michael Crossey, and Mike Petrakis Ep 3 | Founding Philly

This episode is sponsored by J.P. Morgan [https://www.jpmorgan.com/commercial-banking/startups] and Cozen O'Connor [https://www.cozen.com/practices/business/emerging-business-venture-capital].  --- In this episode of Founding Philly, I sit down with Ted Mann, Mike Petrakis, Mike Crossey, and Joe Biancaniello for a roundtable conversation on what it really takes to start, fund, and scale a company in Philly. This episode is part of the Roundtable Series, a new format of Founding Philly. Same mission—spotlighting the startup journey—now with more voices at the table from across the Philly ecosystem. We kick things off with a look at Ted and Mike’s paths as repeat founders—how their past ventures shaped what they’re building today, and the lessons they carried with them. We also hear how Mike Crossey and Joe Biancaniello have supported the Philly startup scene over the years through their roles at Cozen O’Connor and J.P. Morgan, respectively. From there, the conversation shifts to one of the biggest questions in startups: how do you find an idea worth solving? For Ted and Mike, their businesses were born from personal frustration. But the group agrees—while a great idea matters, it’s only the beginning.  As Mike puts it: “There’s validity to what investors look at—market size, unit economics, business model.” We also explore what founder-to-founder investing really looks like. Mike shares what it’s been like backing Ted as an investor—and how their partnership quickly became a two-way street. Together, they’ve shared lessons on monetization, product strategy, and go-to-market thinking, applying those insights directly to their own companies. Next, we turn to the fundraising environment, reflecting on how the past few years have challenged even the most experienced founders. While raising capital has become harder, Ted notes that timing the market is nearly impossible—and when you need to raise, you just have to figure it out. The key takeaway? Founders who build through hard times tend to emerge sharper, more focused, and better prepared for what’s ahead. We close with a candid discussion on the Philly startup ecosystem—what’s working, what’s missing, and what it will take to unlock the next wave of growth. The consensus: Philly needs more risk capital, more post-exit reinvestment, and more founders supporting founders. As Mike puts it: “There are a lot of people here who want to help—we just need to get on the same page.” Whether you're just getting started or scaling something new, this episode offers firsthand insight into idea validation, investor-founder dynamics, fundraising in tough markets, and the shared responsibility of growing a local startup community. The Roundtable Series is recorded at the Fitler Club, to learn more check out https://fitlerclub.com/ [https://fitlerclub.com/].