RIoT Underground

At 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 ex...

In 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.

In 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 cri...

In 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 preven...

In 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 br...

While 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 interse...

The 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 Admin...

Sometimes 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,...

In 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 move...

Join us as we host a thrilling conversation with Rod Goossen, founder and CEO of RoGO. Rod sheds light on the fascinating way RoGO is employing disruptive technologies to revolutionize wildland firefighting and assist first responders. Inspired by the tragic Yarnale Hillfire incident, Rod embarked on a mission to enhance situational awareness and communication among wildland firefighters. Listen in as he discusses RoGO's cutti...

In this exciting installment of RIoT Underground, we're joined by Tony Sammarco, the Director of Technology Strategy for Device Solutions, who shares insights into the transformative ATSC 3.0  project. Funded by the Department of Homeland Security, this initiative explores repurposing spectrum for emergency services and promises to enhance emergency communication, particularly in rural areas. Listen in as Tony discusses the su...

What if studying abroad could dramatically shape your future in business? In our enlightening chat with Thomas Ragot, the Admissions and Corporate Relations Liaison for SKEMA Business School, you'll discover exactly how. With campus locations spanning five continents, SKEMA fosters an international academic environment, giving students the unique chance to not only earn a degree in partnership with NC State University but also...

Are you ready to explore the exciting intersection of technology and agriculture, and discover how it's revolutionizing the way we produce and use fertilizers? Join us for an illuminating conversation with John Ireland, founder of NTP Technologies, as he introduces us to the world of non-thermal plasma technology. Learn how John's company is turning the tide by producing sustainable, salt-free nitrate on-site for farmers,...

On this episode of the underground podcast, Tom Snyder interviews Clay Hine, Business Development Manager at Nordic Semiconductor.

Clay shares with us a fascinating insight into his journey from R&D to customer-centric roles in the semiconductor industry. We explore the unique dynamics between traditional sales and business development roles, particularly in the context of Nordic's growth and expansion into new ma...

On this episode of the underground podcast, Tom Snyder interviews Seth Berman, the CEO of Instantiations, a software development agency. They discuss how instantiations focuses on maintaining and modernizing legacy systems that are crucial to various sectors. Seth shares his background in software engineering and his passion for helping customers prolong the life of their important systems. He also talks about the value they place ...

In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with Stefan Youngblood, Founder and CEO of HireBlack.com, Black Metaverse LLC, and Help Anyway.

In this podcast, Stefan Youngblood, instigator and disruptor, talks about his background, his story, and his work in the tech industry. He discusses the power of AI in business, the diversity problem in tech, and the need for intentional engagement in the industry. He also talks about the ...

In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we sit down with Richard Erb, Executive Director of TechConnect and the Smart Cities Connect Conference in Denver this Spring.

Smart cities are the way of the future, and the Smart City Conference in Denver is the perfect place to learn about the latest innovations and trends in this exciting field. With over 100 exhibitors and 50 speakers, this year's conference promises to be the bigge...

In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with John Petitte, co--founder and CEO and Jason Farrell, Chief Customer Officer at Amplifi Labs. 

Amplifi Labs is a company that is dedicated to helping businesses harness the power of technology to achieve their goals. Through their innovative solutions and data-driven approach, they have earned a reputation as a trusted partner for businesses of all sizes. Join us in thi...

In this episode of the RIoT Underground, we speak with Jonathan Levitt, Vice President of Growth at Cocoflo. 

The Smart Cities discussion often is rooted around technologies and system integration.  Companies have long pitched the operational efficiencies and value added services that benefit the local government.  Cocoflo presents another significant aspect of the digital transformation of our communities - namely the res...