AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 Titelbild

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0

AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0

Von: Matt Battaglia
Jetzt kostenlos hören, ohne Abo

Nur 0,99 € pro Monat für die ersten 3 Monate

Danach 9.95 € pro Monat. Bedingungen gelten.

Über diesen Titel

 AZ Tech Roundtable 2.0 with Matt Battaglia The show where Entrepreneurs, Top Executives, Founders, and Investors come to share insights about the future of business. AZ TRT 2.0 looks at the new trends in business, & how classic industries are evolving. Common Topics Discussed: Startups, Founders, Funds & Venture Capital, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biotech, Blockchain / Crypto, Executive Comp, Investing, Stocks, Real Estate + Alternative Investments, and more… AZ TRT Podcast Home Page: http://aztrtshow.com/ Please Subscribe. Thanks for Listening. - More Info: https://www.economicknight.com/azpodcast/ Management & Leadership Ökonomie
Folgen
  • Pickleball & the Growth of Sports Enterprises & Investment w/ Evan Floersch of the Texas Ranchers Pickleball Team - AZ TRT S06 EP21 (283) 11-23-2025

    Pickleball & the Growth of Sports Enterprises & Investment w/ Evan Floersch of the Texas Ranchers Pickleball Team - AZ TRT S06 EP21 (283) 11-23-2025
    Dec 23 2025
    Pickleball & the Growth of Sports Enterprises & Investment w/ Evan Floersch of the Texas Ranchers Pickleball Team - AZ TRT S06 EP21 (283) 11-23-2025 What We Learned This Week: 1. Pickleball is now fully professionalized with a unified league structure. The merger of PPA + MLP created a stable, closed league system with real team economics, structured seasons, and national distribution. 2. Media partnerships are accelerating the sport's visibility. Pickleball now has a dedicated channel, plus national TV exposure on CBS and Fox—putting it in the same conversation as traditional sports. 3. Austin is becoming a major sports & tech hub fueling this growth. With Meta, Apple, Oracle, UT Austin, F1, MLS, and huge tourism, Austin is the perfect environment for emerging sports franchises. 4. Sports franchises are now a serious investment class—not a vanity asset. Private equity has poured $30B into sports recently. Firms like Permian aim to operate teams professionally, build value, and own multiple franchises across leagues. 5. The big opportunity is not just the sport—it's the stadium & real estate ecosystem. Sports districts (like The Battery or Wrigleyville) generate tens of millions by combining sports, entertainment, dining, hotels, concerts, and tourism. Pickleball could follow this playbook. Guest: Evan Floersch– co owner Texas Ranchers Evan Floersch is on a mission to redefine sports, starting with the 2 billion dollar professional pickleball industry as an entrepreneur, investor, and champion of change leading with a dynamic and forward-thinking passion. As the founder and CEO of the premier Texas Ranchers Major League Pickleball Team, he is transforming the industry while positioning Austin as a major sports hub integrating his passion for the city's thriving cultural arts and future tech scene. In 2022, at just 26 years old, he made history as the youngest principal owner in sports by acquiring a controlling interest in the Texas Ranchers Major League Pickleball Team. Partnering with high-profile investors such as Lil Wayne, Scottie Scheffler, Kendra Scott, and NBA owner Dennis Wong, Evan is on a mission to turn the Ranchers into a global sports powerhouse. His long-term vision extends beyond pickleball—he has publicly committed the next phase of his career to elevating Austin, Texas, into one of the world's premier sports and entertainment markets. With its booming population, tech-driven economy, and untapped potential for championship-winning franchises, Evan sees Austin as the perfect city to build a lasting sports legacy. A former All-American soccer player at Emory University, Evan's passion for competition and strategy extends to the pickleball court, where he plays regularly to better understand the game's evolution. While he grew up surrounded by Chicago sports, his true inspiration comes from those who have built or guided industry-defining companies, with books like Shoe Dog, The Innovator's Dilemma, The War of Art, and Relentless shaping his perspective on leadership, risk-taking, and disruption. Evan is an avid pickleball player and enjoys the fun and competitive aspect of America's fastest growing sport. "Like great companies, a great sports organization isn't built by following the rules. It's built by questioning them, pushing past them, and creating something entirely new. The Texas Ranchers, and future sports franchises we helm in Texas, will win because we see beyond what sports are on the court or field." - Evan Floersch, Founder and CEO Texas Ranchers | Official Home of the Major League Pickleball Team Texas Ranchers: A New Era of Sports Ownership & Global Fan Engagement Who is the most valued high grossing sports franchise? I bet you didn't guess professional pickleball did you? With pickleball exploding into a $2 billion industry and viewership surpassing major professional leagues, the Texas Ranchers are at the forefront of this revolution. By leveraging their brand authority and expansive network, they are attracting exceptional opportunities, captivating fans worldwide, and redefining what it means to be part of a professional sports franchise. The Texas Ranchers Major League Pickleball Team is proving that ownership isn't just for high wealth individual ownership—it's a collective force driven by business leaders, entertainment icons, and sports enthusiasts. By bringing together a powerhouse network of investors—including Lil Wayne, Scottie Scheffler, Kendra Scott, and NBA owner Dennis Wong—the Ranchers are revolutionizing franchise ownership, making it more dynamic, engaging, and accessible. The Texas Ranchers aren't just the most followed franchise in Major League Pickleball—they're the highest-grossing and one of the most marketable brands in the sport. With top-tier talent, including men's and women's pro players like Christian Alshon ...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    46 Min.
  • Startups from Funding to Community w/ Daniela Santagelo of Freeway - AZ TRT S06 EP20 (282) 10-19-2025

    Startups from Funding to Community w/ Daniela Santagelo of Freeway - AZ TRT S06 EP20 (282) 10-19-2025
    Oct 23 2025
    Startups from Funding to Community w/ Daniela Santagelo of Freeway - AZ TRT S06 EP15 (277) 10-19-2025 What We Learned This Week: Freeway - Helping Startups - Talent • Capital • CommunityTalent Retention & Reinvestment are key to building a FlywheelPhoenix Tech Ecosystem is growing, but not yet matureAlways need more VC Funding + Deal FlowGovernment Partnership as enabler for Tech Guest: Daniela Santagelo https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielaalpert/ I'm a founder, startup ecosystem builder, and civic innovation partner working at the intersection of tech, talent, and community. Through my work with Freeway Phx, I help cities, startups, and global partners co-create thriving innovation ecosystems, starting in Arizona and building bridges worldwide. I believe that opportunity doesn't just happen. It's designed. That's why I focus on activating communities, cultivating tech talent, and building connective infrastructure that turns vision into velocity. My journey spans founding multiple companies including scaling a venture-backed startup to $33M in funding and helping grow it to a $100M business. I've also spent 15 years in the Moving & Relocation industry, which gave me a unique lens on talent migration patterns and the infrastructure needed to build resilient, people-first startup communities. Like many founders, I've experienced both the highs of scaling and the lows of setback. That reinvention shaped my sharper mission: helping founders grow and give back. ⚡️ I lead Tech Talent Summits that connect employers, educators, and jobseekers🌍 I support global delegations and help founders expand across borders🧭 I advise founders on story, capital, and strategy with a human-first, results-driven approach Whether I'm building public-private partnerships, launching a new venture, or guiding a founder through their next chapter, I care about building with legacy, community, and courage. Let's co-create what's next! daniela@founderfreeway.com freewayphx.com We're your community partner in building a modern workforce Whether you're hiring, scaling, or making a career move, Freeway connects the dots that job boards and pipelines can't. Here are 5 main ideas learned from the podcast: 1. Phoenix's Tech Ecosystem Is Growing but Not Yet Mature Phoenix is showing strong momentum with new funding, company relocations, and sector growth (microchips, AI, defense, and health tech), but it hasn't reached critical mass compared to cities like Austin or Miami. The region still needs more deal flow, successful exits, and reinvestment from local founders to sustain long-term growth. 2. Talent Retention and Reinvestment Are Key to Building a Flywheel A major challenge is the "brain drain" — founders and investors leaving after exits. For Phoenix to thrive, successful entrepreneurs must stay, mentor others, and reinvest profits locally. This recycled success (the "flywheel effect") is essential for building a lasting innovation community. 3. Public-Private Partnerships Strengthen the Ecosystem Collaboration between government, universities, investors, and entrepreneurs (through groups like ACA, GPEC, and Southwest MAC) is crucial. While government can enable infrastructure, real progress happens when private founders lead and public institutions act as supporters or "feeders." 4. Culture and Community Matter as Much as Capital Brad Feld's "Startup Communities" framework highlights that strong ecosystems are entrepreneur-led, mentorship-driven, and collaborative. A culture of "give first" — where leaders help others without expecting immediate returns — builds trust and long-term strength within the community. 5. Phoenix Has a Clear Opportunity to Become a Major Tech Hub by 2030 With major investments (like Hadrian's $200M AI factory) and an influx of talent from higher-cost states, Phoenix is positioned for rapid growth. If local leaders stay committed to developing talent, attracting capital, and telling the city's tech story effectively, it can emerge as a leading innovation center in the next decade. Notes: Building a Thriving Tech Ecosystem in Phoenix Segment 1: The Phoenix Tech Landscape – Building a Community Key Theme Public and private partnerships are essential to growing a strong, sustainable tech ecosystem in Phoenix. The goal: build an environment that supports startups from funding to mentorship, attracts talent, and retains capital within Arizona. Current Ecosystem Overview · Silicon Valley (CA) and Silicon Slopes (UT) serve as models for how regional tech ecosystems can evolve. · Phoenix has growing momentum but lacks the critical mass seen in other markets. · Total deal volume: $435 million — promising, but still behind Austin, Miami, and California. · 2025 so far: 47 funding rounds, compared to 88 in 2024 and Miami's 241. Challenges ·...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    27 Min.
  • AZ Bio Week & Life Sciences Innovation + Best of Biotech w/ Joan Koerber-Walker - AZ TRT S06 EP19 (281) 10-12-2025

    AZ Bio Week & Life Sciences Innovation + Best of Biotech w/ Joan Koerber-Walker - AZ TRT S06 EP19 (281) 10-12-2025
    Oct 10 2025
    AZ Bio Week & Life Sciences Innovation w/ Joan Koerber-Walker - AZ TRT S06 EP19 (281) 10-12-2025 Things We Learned This Week AZ Bio mission to improve life and bioscience, & make AZ a Top Ten Bioscience stateAZ Bio Week 2025 - Oct. - 5 Days Talks, Events & Awards AZ Advances - nonprofit donation to biotech startupsAqualung Therapeutics is treating inflammation in the lungs, get people off ventilators & save livesCalviri is working on a Vaccine to PREVENT Cancer, currently largest animal clinical trialAnuncia Medical has a Re-Flow product to help drain fluid from the brain, treats Hydrocephalus Guest: Joan Koerber-Walker President and CEO, AZBio - Arizona Bioindustry Association, Inc. Chairman, Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation LKIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joankoerberwalker www.azbio.org Bio: As President and CEO of AZBio, Joan Koerber-Walker works on behalf of the Arizona Bioscience and Medical Technology Industry to support the growth of the industry, its members and our community on the local and national level. Ms. Koerber-Walker is also a life science investor and has served on the boards of numerous for-profit and non-profit organizations. In the life science industry, Ms. Koerber-Walker serves as as Arizona's representative to the State Medical Technology Alliance (SMTA), a consortium of state and regional trade associations representing their local medical technology companies which she chaired in 2015 and represents Arizona as a member of the Council of State Bioscience Associations (CSBA) and the Coalition of State Bioscience Institutes (CSBI). Active in the entrepreneurial and investment communities, she also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation which provides entrepreneurial education, mentoring and support to at-risk members of the community, on the Board of Advisors to CellTrust, Inc. which provides secure communication technology to the healthcare industry, and as Chairman of CorePurpose, Inc. which she founded in 2002. Ms. Koerber-Walker has been recognized as Executive of the Year by the Arizona Society of Association Executives, as a "Most Admired Leader" by the Phoenix Business Journal (2015), in the pages of AZ Business Leaders (2013 thru 2020), Most Influential Women in Arizona Business (2014) and is a 2 time National Finalist for the Stevie Award which recognizes the work of women in business. Her past experience includes two years as the CEO of ASBA (the Arizona Small Business Association), service as a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Small Business Association in Washington D.C., President of the National Speakers Association/Arizona, Chair of the Board of Advisors to Parenting Arizona, the state's largest child abuse prevention organization, & much more. AZBio: Supporting Arizona's Life Science Industry for 19 Years (2003 – 2022) Learn more about Arizona's bioindustry: www.azbio.org | Facebook: AZBIO |Twitter: @AZBio @AZBioCEO We're part of a movement to create sustainable funding for life science innovation in Arizona. Learn more at www.AZAdvances.org MOVING LIFE SCIENCE INNOVATIONS ALONG THE PATH FROM DISCOVERY TO DEVELOPMENT TO DELIVERY OUR VISION OF THE FUTURE: Arizona is a top-ten life science state. OUR MISSION: AZBio supports the needs of Arizona's growing life science ecosystem. The Arizona Bioindustry Association (AZBio) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)6 trade association supporting the growth of Arizona's life science sector. AZBio Member Organizations in the fields of business, research and education, health care delivery, economic development, government, and other professions involved in the biosciences are the key drivers of the growth of Arizona's life science sector. As the unified voice of our industry in Arizona, AZBio strives to make Arizona a place where bioscience organizations can grow and succeed. AZBio works nationally and globally with the Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed), the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA), the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), and leading patient advocacy organizations. Through these relationships, AZBio has access to information, contacts, resources, cost saving programs, and the global bioscience and medtech community. Arizona's bioscience industry is growing rapidly and reached nearly 30,000 jobs spanning 2,160 business establishments in 2018. Industry employment has grown by 15 percent since 2016—twice the growth rate of the nation—with each of the five major subsectors adding jobs during the period. Arizona's universities conducted nearly $580 million in R&D activities in bioscience-related fields in 2018, fueled in part by steadily increasing NIH awards to Arizona institutions since 2016. Venture capital investments in Arizona bioscience...
    Mehr anzeigen Weniger anzeigen
    51 Min.
Noch keine Rezensionen vorhanden