Building in Space with Dakota Labine

Building in Space with Dakota Labine

Dakota Labine is the Director of Engineering at ThinkOrbital, where he leads multidisciplinary teams building next-generation space infrastructure and advanced X-ray technologies. Starting in a hands-on Assembly, Integration, and Test leadership role before growing into engineering leadership, Dakota has helped scale the company from rapid hardware execution into broader technical and organizational growth. His work spans autonomous in-space welding, drone-based X-ray imaging, spacecraft systems, and rapid development programs supporting both commercial and government customers. Before joining ThinkOrbital, Dakota spent over four years at Blue Canyon Technologies leading spacecraft systems engineering efforts across major microsatellite constellation programs and new spacecraft product lines. Known for blending hands-on execution with big-picture systems thinking, he’s passionate about building teams, scaling ambitious ideas, and turning complex engineering challenges into real-world capabilities. During this episode, we discuss: * What Dakota does as the Director of Engineering at ThinkOrbital * ThinkOrbital’s core products * Their pivot toward X-ray technology * The hardest part of scaling a deep tech hardware company * How ThinkOrbital serves both commercial and government customers * Why the space economy is booming right now * What makes Boulder, CO a hub for aerospace startups * Dakota's advice for anyone looking to work in deep tech And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things space!

Putting Tampa Bay on the Tech Map with Jesus Vidaurri

Jesus Vidaurri is a community and ecosystem builder, entrepreneur, and talent strategist passionate about creating spaces where people, ideas, and innovation thrive. He is the Founder and CEO of Tampa Bay Tech Week, a community-led initiative designed to bring together founders, technologists, investors, creatives, and builders while elevating the Tampa Bay region as a destination for innovation and opportunity. Known throughout the region for connecting people and building meaningful partnerships, Jesus has become a driving force in strengthening Tampa Bay’s startup and technology ecosystem. His work centers around creating opportunities, fostering collaboration, and helping communities grow with intention. Professionally, Jesus is also the Founder and Principal Consultant of Vida Talent Solutions, where he advises startups and growth-stage organizations on talent strategy, AI, and modern recruiting practices. He currently supports Federal Government as a talent consultant and previously served as Director of Talent at the White House, helping build high-impact teams supporting critical government initiatives. Whether launching tech movements, advising founders, or helping people land life-changing opportunities, Jesus believes the strongest ecosystems are built when community comes first. During this episode, we discuss: * What Tampa Bay Tech Week is and how Jesus got the idea by attending Atlanta Tech Week * How to successfully start and build a Tech Week * Tips for maintaining momentum after Tech Week ends * Why partnerships and collaborations are essential to sustaining year-round events * What makes Tampa Bay an excellent home for tech * Why more Tampa founders don't get funded locally * How Jesus balances his many roles and passions And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things Tampa Bay!

Investing in HealthTech with Nalina Murthy

Nalina Murthy is the founder of HealthTech Trailblazers. As a Syndicate Lead and angel investor, she focuses on women’s health, longevity, caregiving, and healthtech infrastructure — a sector she believes is long overdue for bold innovation. Her path to investing is grounded in deep operator experience. As a former engineering and product leader for Global Fortune 500 companies, she brings rare technical depth and operator instincts to early-stage investing and also serves as a mentor and longtime startup advisor. During this episode, we discuss: * Nalina’s career as an engineering and product leader at global Fortune 500 companies * What led her to get into investing * How she spent over a year building her investment thesis and what it is * Her top advice for aspiring investors * The four things she looks at when evaluating a startup * The biggest lesson she learned the hard way * What HealthTech Trailblazers will focus on in 2026 And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things health tech!

Automating Accounts Receivable with Joe Zhou

Joe Zhou is Co-Founder and CTO of Monk. Prior to Monk, Joe was an engineer at Snap (top 30 contributor to the codebase), Google, and QuickBooks. Joe graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where he received his B.S. in Computer Science and M.S. in Engineering. During this episode, we discuss: * The journey of Joe’s career * What Monk does and how the idea came about * Joe's engineering philosophy * How the key to improving the product over time is a tight feedback loop * What Monk plans to do in 2026 * Joe's top advice for technical founders And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things accounts receivable and engineering!

Landing Enterprise Customers with Kirsten Co

Kirsten Co is a New York–based founder, operator, startup advisor, and venture scout. As the founder of K & Company LLC, her firm advises Seed to Series A founders and emerging technology companies. She helps early-stage companies win and keep enterprise customers through commercialization, strategic partnerships, customer growth, and scaling from founder-led execution to institutional adoption. She also actively scouts for VC firms in high-innovation early-stage companies across Physical AI, Infrastructure, cybersecurity and enterprise software. With over 15 years of global experience across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups, Kirsten has led transformation initiatives across HR operations, procurement, fulfillment, logistics, product launches, and go-to-market execution. Her work spans CPG, travel technology, e-commerce, and B2B AI SaaS, with leadership experience across companies including The Coca-Cola Company, Sea Group, and AfterShip. She holds an MBA from Sydney Business School and brings a global perspective shaped by living and working across the Philippines, Singapore, Australia, and now the United States. Beyond advisory work, Kirsten is deeply embedded in New York’s innovation, media, and cultural ecosystems. She contributes to Insider Monkey, a financial media and intelligence firm, covering private markets, startup intelligence, and emerging founder stories for an investor-focused audience. She co-produced and hosted responsible AI and emerging technology events at Microsoft Garage in NYC alongside NYU's Ethical Tech Co-lab, where she also recently completed her STEM master’s in Global Security, Conflict, and Cybercrime. A supporter of fashion and the arts, Kirsten Co was part of the core team behind FILIPINXT, the first all-Filipino fashion showcase officially featured on the New York Fashion Week calendar and recognized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, helping elevate Filipino and Filipino-American designers, creatives, and cultural storytelling onto a global stage. During this episode, we discuss: * Kirsten's 15-year career spanning CPG, operations, e-commerce, AI-based SaaS, and travel technology across Asia, Australia, Singapore, and now New York * Starting K & Company LLC out of a desire to stop working 9-to-5, build her own brand, and stay embedded in the startup ecosystem on her own terms * What her specialty is * The most important first step for landing an enterprise customer * How to retain enterprise customers * How Kirsten became a venture scout organically * Advice for founders seeking capital * What she recommends for aspiring venture scouts * Why in-person events remain the most reliable way to build relationships in the startup and VC ecosystem And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things enterprise sales and venture!