The Pair Program
Welcome to the Pair Program from hatchpad, the podcast that gives you a front-row seat to candid conversations with tech leaders from the startup world. Join host Tim Winkler alongside co-host Mike Gruen as they bring together two guests to dissect topics at the intersection of technology, startups, and career growth. Tim Winkler is a serial Entrepreneur and is the CEO of hatch I.T. a Software Recruiting Company focusing on newly emerging Startup companies. Mike Gruen is a Technologist & Engineering Leader with decades of experience in the field. He is currently the Director of Engineering at Cherre, the leader in real estate data and insight. Get Answers to your most pressing startup questions: 💡 Do I need a college degree to work as a Software Engineer? 💡 Should we build or buy software? 💡 How do startups get funded? 💡 How do I get into Product Management? All these questions and more will be answered for you by our experienced hosts and industry-leading guests. Make sure to catch each episode every other week and follow us on Social to stay up to date with hatchpad. 🐣 What is hatchpad? 🐣 Hatchpad is the community for startup technologists. Our members include Software Engineers, Product Managers, Data Scientists, and Tech Executives; all connected through their passion for startups and desire to create innovative technology. Every week we chat with startup technologists to provide you behind-the-scenes insights on technical skills, career advice, and industry trends. This community is for you if you want to learn from and grow alongside a curated group of startup technical professionals. 🚀 Sign-Up for Weekly hatchpad Newsletter: https://www.myhatchpad.com/newsletter/ 🤖 Check Out the hatchpad: http://myhatchpad.com/ Follow us on Social Media!! LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hatchpadcommunity/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/my_hatchpad YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBy9WYJlx31R3QmbSlR85Dg
Episodes
How We Hatched: Jennifer Sample, Chief Technology Officer at Empower AI
In this episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Jennifer Sample, Chief Technology Officer at Empower AI, to explore her journey from chemistry to cutting-edge AI leadership. Jennifer shares lessons from Johns Hopkins APL, Accenture Federal Services, and now her mission-driven role at Empower AI.
Key topics covered:
- From nanotechnology and space missions to...
Orbit to Operations: Bridging Government and Industry in Defense Innovation | The Pair Program Ep71
On this week’s Pair Program, hosts Tim Winkler and Mike Gruen sit down with Topher Haddad, Co-founder/CEO of Albedo, and Arthur Grijalva, Director of SpaceWERX. They discuss how startups and the U.S. Space Force are working together to advance space innovation, touching on Albedo’s Clarity-1 satellite launch and the role of SpaceWERX’...
Dual-Use, Double Impact: Privateer’s Path in Geospatial Intelligence | The Pair Program Ep70
In this episode of The Pair Program, we sit down with Mollie Martin, Director of GTM Strategy at Privateer, and Declan Lynch, Chief Revenue Officer and General Manager at Privateer, to explore what it takes to scale a dual-use business at the intersection of government and commercial markets. They share insights from Privateer’s journey, fro...
Into the Drone Zone: Countering Aerial Threats to Critical Infrastructure | The Pair Program Ep69
Today’s episode features Yaniv Mendelson, Director of Business Development at Echodyne, and Tom Adams, Director of Public Safety at DroneShield. Together, they explore the fast-evolving counter-UAS landscape and the growing threats drones pose to critical infrastructure.
We Dive Into:
- The shift from drones as novelty tech to national ...
From Navy Ops to AI Solutions: Modernizing Federal Service | The Pair Program Ep68
This episode of The Pair Program dives into how cutting-edge tools like AI can make federal service a more exciting, impactful career path. Dr. Jim Liew, Founder & President of SoKat, and Michael Frank, Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the Department of the Navy, discuss strategies to attract top tech talent, drive innovation, and break down ba...
Rebuilding the Arsenal: How Startups & Shipyards are Scaling the Future of Maritime Autonomy | The Pair Program Ep67
Today on The Pair Program, we’re joined by Paul Lwin, CEO and co-founder of HavocAI, and Daniel Brunk, CEO of PacMar Technologies. These two leaders are teaming up to rethink how autonomous vessels are designed, built, and deployed at scale. From startup speed to shipyard expertise, they share how their partnershi...
How We Hatched: Ryan Holmes, Founder & CEO of GreenT Climate Software
In this bonus How We Hatched episode, we’re joined by Ryan Holmes, Founder & CEO of GreenT Climate Software, to explore how AI is reshaping sustainability in multifamily real estate. Ryan shares how GreenT is building smart, scalable solutions that help properties meet environmental goals, without sacrificing financial performance.
Key topics covered:
- Ho...
Beyond Burnout: Rehumanizing Cybersecurity with AI | The Pair Program Ep66
In this episode of The Pair Program, we dive deep into the real challenges facing cybersecurity teams today. Our guests: William Macmillan, Chief Product Officer at Andesite, and Lucas Moody, SVP & CISO at Alteryx, bring sharp insight and a human-first perspective to one of tech’s most pressing issues: burnout. They explore the urgent need to protect not ...
How We Hatched: Trong Bui, Founder & CEO of Vidoori
In this How We Hatched segment, we sit down with Trong Bui, Founder & CEO of Vidoori, to unpack his journey from immigrant engineer to tech leader. He shares insights on building a mission-driven company that prioritizes delivery, ethics, and long-term impact.
Key takeaways from our one-on-one:
- The unexpected path from Lockheed Martin to entrepreneurship
- Building a consult...
The Next Frontier: Collaborative Autonomy in Defense Tech | The Pair Program Ep65
Autonomous systems are no longer science fiction, they’re reshaping national security. But while technology moves fast, policy, infrastructure, and trust lag behind. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to build resilient, distributed autonomy for contested environments. Joining us are Emma Bates, Founder & CEO of Cachai, and Dr. Kimb...
How We Hatched: Dr. Jay Rozzi, Vice President, Principal Engineer, and Partner at Creare
In this bonus How We Hatched episode, we sit down with Dr. Jay Rozzi, Vice President, Principal Engineer, and Partner at Creare. With deep expertise in advanced manufacturing, cryogenics, and tech commercialization, Jay shares how his team develops breakthrough technologies that move from R&D to real-world deployment across defense, aerospac...
Data Solutions in Regulated Environments: Scaling Innovation in Defense and Aerospace | The Pair Program Ep64
On this week’s episode of The Pair Program, we’re diving deep into defense innovation, mission-first data strategy, and the future of aerospace tech with Jake Dyal and Scott Dieckhaus, two leaders with decades of experience navigating high-stakes environments. Jake, a former military intelligence officer turned startup found...
Delivering Defense-Tech Ground Autonomy with DIU and Forterra | The Pair Program Ep63
What does the future of defense look like when the vehicles drive themselves? In this episode, we sit down with Paul Benfield (Head of Strategy at Forterra) and David Michelson (Director of Autonomy at DIU) to talk about the real-world deployment of autonomous ground systems and why it’s no longer science fiction.
Tune in for:
- How DIU and Forterr...
From Service to Startup: Empowering Veteran-Led Innovation in Defense Tech | The Pair Program Ep62
What happens when veterans take the lead in shaping the future of defense tech? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Casey Perley from the Army Applications Lab and Guy Filippelli of Squadra Ventures, two powerhouses driving change from within and beyond the DoD. They share stories from the frontlines of innovation, lessons learned in...
CTO Wisdom with Freedom Dumlao | Beyond The Program
Welcome to CTO Wisdom. In this series, we interview technical leaders who have stepped into executive positions.Today’s guest host, Eric Brooke, speaks with Freedom Dumlao, CTO at Vestmark, in this episode of CTO Wisdom. We sit down with Freedom to explore his unconventional journey into tech and the leadership lessons he’s learned along the way. From programming on a black-an...
Combating Deepfakes with AI Innovation: Reality Defender & BAH Ventures | The Pair Program Ep61
In this episode of The Pair Program, we’re joined by Ben Colman (CEO and Co-Founder of Reality Defender) and Wes Blackwell (Managing Director at Booz Allen Hamilton) for a fascinating discussion on AI and national security. They dive into the dangers of deepfakes, the role of AI detection tools, and how public and private sectors can ...
How We Hatched: Kevin Larrabee, Head of Product at DataShapesAI
In this episode of How We Hatched, we’re joined by Kevin Larrabee, the Head of Product at DataShapesAI. In our conversation, Kevin takes us through the transformative role AI plays in Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS) applications. He also shares how DataShapesAI is using AI-driven solutions to enhance spectrum awareness and improve signal monitoring.
Here’s a glimpse of wh...
The Dual-Use Debate: Crafting Smarter Startups from the Start | The Pair Program Ep60
Today on The Pair Program, we’re joined by Gene Kesselman, Director of Mission Innovation Experimentation at MIT, and Jake Chapman, Managing Director at Marque Ventures. Together, they dive into the evolving landscape of dual-use technology and the future of defense innovation. Gene and Jake explore opportunities, tough realities, and bold reforms ...
How We Hatched: Nicolas Chaillan, Founder & CEO of Ask Sage
On today’s episode of How We Hatched, we sit down with Nicolas Chaillan, Founder & CEO of Ask Sage and former Chief Software Officer for the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. From launching startups at age 15 to transforming tech adoption in national defense, Nick shares lessons from his unconventional path and offers insights on building secure, scalable AI.
Key ...
The Future Frontlines of Defense: 3D Drones and Strategic Logistics | The Pair Program Ep59
Dive into the future of defense technology with Chad McCoy of Firestorm Labs and Jeff Wright, military strategist and special ops veteran. Explore how 3D printing drones and new logistic strategies are paving the way for innovative solutions in the INDOPACOM theater. We’ll discuss everything from the myths of Pacific warfare to practical tech...
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