CV Podcast

Corporate Venture Capital in Energy Explained | Mark Gustafson

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Mark Gustafson, President of Avista Development and Director of Strategic Investments at Avista. Mark brings a unique perspective from decades spent at the intersection of utilities, energy infrastructure, software, innovation, and corporate venture capital. With experience spanning CTO leadership, strategy, data science, and startup investing, this conversation dives deep into what the “utility of the future” may actually look like. We cover: • Corporate venture capital in the utility industry • Grid modernization and energy infrastructure • AI, data science, and utilities • Challenges startups face selling into regulated markets • Innovation inside large organizations • The future of distributed energy and electrification • Strategic investing and long-term infrastructure bets Mark also shares insights on how utilities evaluate emerging technologies, where climate innovation is heading, and why the next decade of energy transformation may reshape far more than just the power grid. If you enjoy conversations around venture capital, startups, infrastructure, AI, clean technology, and the future of energy, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, operators, and innovators shaping the future of business and technology. #venturecapital #climatetech #energy #utilities #startup #ai #infrastructure #cleanenergy #corporateventurecapital #innovation #podcast

Entrepreneurship in Sushi?

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Isaac Cunnington to discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, business growth, and the realities of building in today’s rapidly changing environment. We dive into: • Isaac’s path into business and entrepreneurship • Lessons learned from scaling teams and navigating growth • How founders should think about leadership and decision making • The role of resilience, adaptability, and long term thinking • Opportunities and challenges emerging across technology and business • Advice for young entrepreneurs looking to build meaningful careers This conversation explores what it actually takes to grow companies, lead people effectively, and continue evolving as both an operator and a person. Isaac shares practical insights, personal experiences, and perspectives on where business and innovation are heading next. If you’re interested in startups, entrepreneurship, leadership, venture capital, business strategy, or founder mindset, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, investors, and builders shaping the future. #entrepreneurship #startups #venturecapital #leadership #business #founders #innovation #podcast

The HealthTech Company Born from a Near Fatal Accident

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Dylan Avatar, Co-Founder and CEO of Credential Network, to talk about building in healthcare, overcoming adversity, and what it really takes to scale a company in a complex industry.Dylan shares his journey from a life-changing wingsuit accident to building a company focused on fixing one of the most broken systems in healthcare: credentialing.We get into:• The origin story behind Credential Network• How personal adversity reshaped his perspective on building• Why healthcare systems are so slow to change and where opportunity exists• His thoughts on AI and where it actually matters in healthcare• Hiring, team building, and what he looks for in early employees• Lessons from building in a highly regulated industry• The story behind writing his new bookThis conversation is a mix of resilience, ambition, and real talk on what it takes to build something meaningful in healthcare.If you’re interested in health tech, startups, AI in healthcare, or founder mindset, this episode delivers insight you can apply immediately.Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors building durable businesses.Connect with Dylan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dylan-avatar/Company: https://credentialnetwork.com/Learn more about FUEL Coworking:Website: https://fuelcoworking.comEmail: info@fuelcoworking.com

How to Optimize Any Business Using Six Sigma | Chris Wood

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Chris Wood to talk about operational excellence, acquisition entrepreneurship, and what it really takes to improve and scale businesses. Chris shares his journey through: • Implementing Six Sigma and operational optimization frameworks • Buying and improving five separate businesses • Lessons learned inside elite environments like Skywalker Ranch • Transitioning from operations to ownership • Why process discipline creates long term value We break down what acquisition entrepreneurship looks like in practice, how to evaluate operational inefficiencies, and why many businesses fail not because of bad strategy, but because of weak execution. If you’re interested in buying businesses, improving margins, scaling operations, private equity style roll ups, Six Sigma methodology, or industrial entrepreneurship, this episode delivers tactical insight you can apply immediately. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors building durable businesses. #acquisitionentrepreneurship #sixsigma #operations #smallbusiness #entrepreneurship #privateequity #podcast #businessgrowth #investing

How to Build a $100M ARR Company From Scratch

In this episode of the Cowles Ventures Podcast, I sit down with Tom Simpson to break down his journey from early days in investment banking to managing his own venture fund, founding Green Cupboards, and helping shape the startup ecosystem through SAA, Ignite, and KickStart. We talk about:• The transition from operator to venture fund manager• How to raise and manage a venture capital fund• Lessons from building and running Green Cupboards• The realities of deploying capital in emerging markets• How organizations like SAA, Ignite, and KickStart support founders• What makes a startup ecosystem thrive Tom shares tactical insight into venture capital, fund management, early-stage investing, and company building, along with lessons learned from operating on both sides of the table. If you’re interested in venture capital, startup investing, fund formation, angel investing, entrepreneurship, or building companies outside of Silicon Valley, this conversation is packed with practical insights. Subscribe for more conversations with founders, investors, and operators building the next generation of companies. #venturecapital #startups #investing #entrepreneurship #fundmanager #angelinvesting #podcast #venturefund #founders