Shows
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Robotics InnovationThe Frontier State Conversations is a series where we host trailblazers in public policy, venture capital, and disruptive technologies. We aim to unpack competing ideas about fostering innovation in the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres.In this edition of The Frontier State Conversations, I host Tom Ryden, Executive Director of MassRobotics, to discuss the evolving landscape of robotics innovation. Our wide-ranging discussion explores how MassRobotics has become the largest independent robotics hub, nurturing next-generation robotics companies and strengthening Boston's position as a frontier for technological innovation.Key ThemesOur conversation with Tom...2025-03-1052 min
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Nonprofit AcceleratorsThe Frontier State Conversations explores the intersection of innovation ecosystems, policy frameworks, and emerging technologies. Our latest episode features Cait Brumme (Princeton ‘07, Harvard Business School ‘12), CEO of MassChallenge, one of the world's largest zero-equity accelerators.Key Themes Our wide-ranging dialogue with Cait explored several crucial aspects of innovation acceleration:* Innovation Ecosystem Development: How accelerators shape regional innovation landscapes and foster collaborative environments between startups, corporations, and government entities.* Global Innovation Networks: MassChallenge's unique insights from operating across multiple innovation hubs including Boston, Israel, Mexico, and Switzerland - and what these ecosystems can learn from...2025-01-2551 min
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Climate Policy LeadershipIn our newest episode of The Frontier State Conversations, we host Melissa Hoffer, who serves as Massachusetts' first-ever State Climate Chief - a pioneering position that's reshaping how states approach climate action and innovation. This fascinating conversation explores how Massachusetts is building a new model of government to address the defining challenge of our time.Key Themes:The Economic Imperative: Chief Hoffer frames climate action through an economic lens, citing Potsdam Institute's projection of $38 trillion in annual climate damages by 2050. As she notes, "It's going to be hard to sell anything in a world that...2024-12-201h 03
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Compact Nuclear FusionIn this episode of The Frontier State Dialogues, I host Robin Langtry, CEO and co-founder of Avalanche Energy, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of nuclear fusion and his company's distinctive approach to achieving commercial fusion through compact electrostatic devices.With a PhD in mechanical engineering (& a self-guided PhD-level study of nuclear fusion) and with experience leading complex aerospace projects at Boeing and Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin, Robin brings unique insights to the fusion challenge. His journey from designing rockets with Jeff Bezos to pioneering a novel approach to fusion energy offers fascinating perspectives on in...2024-12-101h 20
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Neurosurgery & Brain-Computer InterfacesIn this fascinating edition of The Frontier State Dialogues, I host Dr. Theodore Schwartz, pioneering neurosurgeon at New York City and author of "Gray Matters: A biography of the brain". Our wide-ranging conversation explores the intersection of surgical innovation, brain science, and emerging neurotechnology, with particular focus on what current brain-computer interface development means for the future of human enhancement and medical treatment.Brief biography of Theodore H. Schwartz:Theodore H. Schwartz (Harvard College '87, Harvard Medical School MD '93, FACS) is the David and Ursel Barnes Endowed Professor of Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell Medicine, on...2024-11-261h 27
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Technology InvestingThe Frontier State Dialogues (longer and more informal than FS Conversations) - is a series of long-form casual conversations where we host trailblazers in public policy, venture capital, and disruptive technologies. We aim to unpack competing ideas about fostering innovation in the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres. The Frontier State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In the inaugural edition of The Frontier State Dialogues, I host Alok Sama, former President & CFO of SoftBank, to discuss The Frontier State...2024-11-131h 34
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Blue Tech:The Frontier State Conversations is a series where we host trailblazers across public policy, venture capital, and disruptive technologies. We aim to unpack competing ideas of fostering innovation, as seen across the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres.The Frontier State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this edition of The Frontier State series, we - in tandem with The Business & Government Professional Interest Council at Harvard Kennedy School - hosted Peter de Menocal , President of the Woods Hole...2024-05-1655 min
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Environmental CoalitionsThe Frontier State Conversations is a series where we host trailblazers across public policy, venture capital, and disruptive technologies. We aim to unpack competing ideas of fostering innovation, as seen across the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres.The Frontier State is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.In this edition of The Frontier State series, we - in tandem with The Business & Government Professional Interest Council at Harvard Kennedy School - hosted Joe Curtatone, President of the Northeast Clean Energy...2024-04-3057 min
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of ClimateTech InvestingIn November 2023, we launched The Frontier State Conversations series, where we host trailblazers across public policy, venture capital, and disruptive technologies. We aim to unpack competing ideas of fostering innovation, as seen across the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres.In this edition of The Frontier State series, we - in tandem with The Business & Government Professional Interest Council at Harvard Kennedy School - hosted Dan Goldman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Boston-based Climate-Tech venture capital firm Clean Energy Ventures, to discuss The Frontier State of ClimateTech Investing. We aimed to highlight CEV’s and the State of Ma...2024-04-0859 min
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Life SciencesIn November 2023, we launched The Frontier State Conversations series, where we host trailblazers across public policy, venture capital, and disruptive technologies. We aim to unpack competing ideas of fostering innovation, as seen across the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres.In this edition of The Frontier State series, we - in tandem with The Business & Government Professional Interest Council at Harvard Kennedy School - hosted Travis McCready, Head of Life Sciences - Americas at JLL and Ex-CEO of Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to discuss The Frontier State of Life Sciences & ClimateTech. We aimed to highlight the MLSC’s...2024-03-251h 01
The Frontier State Podcast: Venture Capital, Innovation Policy & DeepTechThe Frontier State of Innovation in MassachusettsIn November 2023, we launched The Frontier State Conversations series, where we host trailblazers across public policy, venture capital, and disruptive technologies. We aim to unpack competing ideas of fostering innovation, as seen across the private, public, non-profit, and academic spheres.In this edition, we - in tandem with The Business & Government Professional Interest Council at Harvard Kennedy School - hosted Yvonne Hao, Secretary of Economic Development of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who discussed The Frontier State of Innovation in Massachusetts and beyond, highlighting the state's and city's focus on advancing climate tech, cultivating biotech, and developing an...2024-02-2753 min