Podcast
RIoT Underground
Hosted by RIoT · EN
Welcome to RIoT Underground — the podcast that pulls back the curtain on the innovators transforming our world with disruptive technology. We talk with fearless founders, tech leaders, and changemakers about their journeys — the wins, the failures, and everything in between. Discover how they learn from mistakes, build meaningful careers, and lead with purpose.
Produced by RIoT Studios, part of the nonprofit RIoT, which drives innovation through events, conferences, startup accelerators, programs, thought leadership, and more.
Tune in, subscribe, and join the underground at riot.org.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
V: The Power of Industrial Design in an AI World, LIVE with Mike Laut, Founder & CEO, Laut Design
Sep 2200:54:43Tap to summarizeAI may be transforming entire industries, but what about the products we hold in our hands every day? In this special live episode of RIoT Underground, RIoT’s Tom Snyder sits down with Mike Laut, Founder & CEO of Laut Design, to explore how physical product design shapes the way we experience and trust AI.Laut Design is a product and brand design firm that helps turn emerging technologies into market-ready products, offering expertise in industrial design, engineering, prototyping, branding, and digital experiences.Together, Tom and Mike dive into the intersection of AI-powered technology and hardware design, uncovering how thoughtful, user-centered products play a pivotal role in making AI systems both functional and trustworthy.Tune in to discover why design isn’t just about looks—it’s about building the future of human-AI interaction.Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →IV: Adapting For Success As AI Reshapes Business, LIVE with Don Shin, Founder & CEO, CrossComm
Aug 2501:04:32Tap to summarizeAt the end of July 2025, the Bureau of Economic Analysis revealed a stunning shift in the U.S. economy: spending on artificial intelligence added more to GDP last quarter than consumer spending.This isn’t just a headline—it’s a turning point. We are officially entering an AI-driven economy.In this special live podcast recording, RIoT’s Tom Snyder sits down with Don Shin, Founder and CEO of CrossComm, Inc., to explore how AI is reshaping growth, daily life, and work faster than any previous technology shift. Don discusses the skills that matter most in the AI age, what we should teach our children, what organizations must value, and how to build teams empowered by AI rather than disrupted by it.Takeaway: The future of work and growth depends less on competing with AI and more on building with it.Connect with Don Shin and check out CrossComm!Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →III: Culture vs Code, Rethinking Strategy & Leadership in the AI Era, LIVE with Ryan Abel, Managing Partner, Atomic Object
Jul 2800:57:25Tap to summarizeIn this special LIVE episode of the RIoT Underground, RIoT’s Tom Snyder sits down with Ryan Abel, Managing Director at Atomic Object, to explore the real-world impact of AI, how companies are navigating the hype, and why culture and values matter more than ever in the age of automation.As AI rewrites the rules of business, the real question isn’t what you’ll automate — it’s who your company will become in the process.Ryan draws from deep experience at the intersection of leadership, innovation, and human-centered technology to tackle a challenge many leaders are only beginning to face: how to move fast without losing what makes your company worth building. Whether you're a tech founder, developer, startup enthusiast, or enterprise leader, this episode delivers valuable insights into how AI is reshaping the tech landscape—and what it means for the future of work.Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →II: Breaking Barriers & Building Deep Tech, LIVE with Krista Covey, President & CEO, First Flight Venture Center
May 1, 202500:58:27Tap to summarizeIn this special LIVE episode of the RIoT Underground, we sit down with Krista Covey, President & CEO of First Flight Venture Center—North Carolina’s oldest business incubator—in front of a live audience to explore what it takes to build world-changing companies in the deep tech and high science space. Krista shares her personal journey from kid entrepreneur to recovering banker to startup ecosystem champion, and unpacks the critical role of long-term investment and ecosystem support in bringing high-impact innovation to life. We dig into how economic development intersects with startups, what’s trending in AI and life sciences, and why building allergy-free peanuts might just be the next big thing. If you’re curious about the people and programs helping startups go from idea to impact, this episode is for you.Learn more about First Flight Venture Center and how to engage: https://www.ffvcnc.org/Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →I: Smart Sight, Safe Site - Video Analytics for Injury Prevention with Bobby Shkolnikov, Principal IoT Commercialization, SAS
Jan 13, 202500:25:06Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the RIoT Underground podcast, we sit down with Bobby Shkolnikov, Principal IoT Commercialization at SAS, to explore the game-changing role of video analytics in workplace safety. Today's safety standards fall short, risking lives in industrial workplaces. Learn how existing security cameras and wireless infrastructure are being transformed into proactive tools for monitoring safety risks and preventing injuries before they happen. From identifying hazardous behavior to enabling real-time interventions, this conversation uncovers how cutting-edge IoT solutions are reshaping industrial safety standards—and saving lives in the process.Learn more about SAS’s solution: https://www.sas.com/en_us/industry/manufacturing/solution/worker-safety.html Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →V: Growing Innovation in Eastern NC with Stefanie Keen & Brittany Smith, City of Wilson, NC
May 22, 202400:25:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the RIoT Underground, join us as we delve into the burgeoning landscape of innovation in Wilson, North Carolina. Our guests, Stefanie Keen and Brittany Smith from the City of Wilson, NC, share insights on the evolution of the City of Wilson, Greenlight, the Gig East Exchange, and the Gig East Summit.The City of Wilson was once only known for tobacco. In 2008, Wilson deployed the first community owned broadband in North Carolina. This forward thinking mindset sparked the growth of an entrepreneurial community. Stefanie and Brittany unveil the history of Wilson, Wilson’s entrepreneurial mindset, and how they are set to reshape the economic and social fabric of the region.Moreover, Stefanie and Brittany delve into the collaborative spirit fostered at the Gig East Summit, where stakeholders come together to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and pave the way for a brighter future. They emphasize the pivotal role of community engagement in driving innovation and ensuring its benefits reach every corner of Eastern NC.Want to learn more and connect with innovators in Wilson? Attend the Gig East Summit, an annual gathering, where entrepreneurs, creators, community partners, and thought leaders converge to explore the transformative power of technology and innovation. With agritech taking center stage, listeners will discover how Eastern NC, with its rich agricultural heritage, is poised for a remarkable transformation. This year’s summit will take place on June 13, 2024.Tune in to this enlightening episode to explore the dynamic landscape of innovation in Eastern NC and uncover how agritech is propelling rural communities like Wilson into a new era of prosperity and sustainability.Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →IV: Not Your Parent's Farm or Bluetooth with Clay Hine, Business Development Manager at Nordic Semiconductor
May 6, 202400:33:21Tap to summarizeWhile new technologies and tools have long been integral to farm management and food production, urgent concerns around food security drive the development and adoption of smart farming technologies today. Today, agriculture is embracing cutting-edge technologies like Bluetooth and the Internet of Things (IoT) to revolutionize the way we grow crops and raise livestock.In this episode, we delve into the fascinating intersection of low power wireless IoT solutions and agriculture with our guest, Clay Hine, from Nordic Semiconductor. Nordic offers many low power wireless protocols relevant to smart agriculture including low power Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, Thread, Zigbee, cellular IoT (both LTE-M and NB-IoT), and DECT NR+. From precision farming techniques to smart irrigation systems and livestock monitoring, discover how these technologies are enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and productivity on the farm.Get ready to explore the exciting possibilities of this digital transformation in agriculture, and learn why this isn't your parents' farming anymore. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of how Bluetooth and IoT are powering the future of farming.Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →III: Breaking Bureaucracy, Unconventional Paths to Government Innovation with the Information Technology team at the Town of Cary, NC
Apr 22, 202400:31:19Tap to summarizeThe key to business is creating a solution to solve your customer’s problem. It is no different for the public sector side. Local government’s primary goal is to serve the needs and interests of the community it represents. In this episode, we explore the intersection of technology and public service with Nicole Coughlin, Chief Information Officer, Justin Sherwood, Assistant Director of IT, and Ted Urbaniak, Systems Administrator from the Town of Cary, NC. Discover how they're revolutionizing municipal operations by harnessing the power of data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). From their innovative "smart" park to their forward-thinking approach to governance, this dynamic team shares insights on how creativity and outside-the-box thinking are driving positive change in government. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on leveraging technology for the greater good and inspiring innovation in your own community.Support the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →II: Navigating Change, The Value Driven Pivot with Marcus Aman, Founder & CEO of Bayley
Apr 8, 202400:24:56Tap to summarizeSometimes in business you have to pivot when the current strategy is not delivering the desired results. In this episode, Marcus Aman, a seasoned entrepreneur and RIoT Accelerator Program (RAP) alum discusses his experiences of when he has had to pivot in launching his own business and the invaluable lessons he had learned along the way to maximize customer value and achieve success. Through real-life examples and practical advice, hear first hand how to embrace pivoting as a strategic tool for growth rather than a sign of failure.Interested in starting your own business? Check out RIoT's Accelerator Program: https://riot.org/startup-accelerator/Produced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mSupport the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
Transcribe →I: 10 Years of Smart City Evolution with Rich Erb, Executive Director at TechConnect
Feb 23, 202400:27:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode, take a look back at the past 10 years of smart city evolution, with Rich Erb, Executive Director at TechConnect. Dive into the transformative advancements that have reshaped urban landscapes worldwide. From the nascent stages of IoT integration to the flourishing ecosystem of data-driven decision-making, Rich Erb offers invaluable insights into the key milestones and challenges that have defined the smart city movement. Discover how cities have harnessed emerging technologies to enhance sustainability, improve infrastructure, and empower communities. Don't miss this episode if you're interested in learning more about the past, present, and future of smart cities.Want to learn more about smart cities and how they are shaping our communities? Join the RIoT team at Smart Cities Connect Spring Conference & Expo, May 7-10, 2024 in Raleigh, NC. Use code "24RIOT25" at checkout to save on your registration. Learn more > https://spring.smartcitiesconnect.org/Produced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/ Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mSupport the showProduced by: RIoTLearn more about RIoT: https://riot.org/Newsletter Sign-Up: http://tinyurl.com/ncekm63mFollow RIoT on social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedin
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