Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Paving Paths

Eric Engelmann builds stuff. Let’s cheers to this leader’s early entrepreneurial experiences and the origins of so many projects (see bonus materials) that have paved different paths for fellow founders. We also discuss when teams need to raise financial capital and how to manage a board of advisors, then explore leveraging large clients, finding co-founders in a startup community, and being honest with the end game in mind.

After the break, we hear how Eric wants to be remembered and riff on if everyone has an entrepreneurial spirit. We celebrate co-founders in life, articulate venture studios, deal flow as an investor, the importance of computer science in education, and avoiding burnout within the long-term realm of evolving entrepreneurial ecosystems.

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BONUS MATERIALS

https://x.com/ericengelmann

https://geonetric.com

https://newbo.co

https://isaventures.com

https://novyventures.com

http://Paving-Paths.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

Roasted Reflections Break: Pain Relievers vs. Vitamins

https://entrefest.com

EP9 – Future of Work 🎙️ Nancy Mwirotsi

EP17 – Schoolhouse Rock 🎙️🎞️ Anika Yadav

EP30 – Exit Ramps 🎙️ Brian Crotty

EP77 – Problem Solving – Gerald Beranek

http://YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

http://BENBOT.ai

By Ben McDougal, ago

DSM USA

Tiffany Tauscheck is the President & CEO of Greater Des Moines Partnership! This special episode highlights the results of Tiffany’s recent 11-county listening tour with 23 different chambers of commerces and how different communities can collaborate even when environmental factors are different. We then shift gears to discuss leadership within transitional times, data-driven storytelling, and the future of the Des Moines metro.

After you refill your mug, Ben and Tiffany talk about evolving startup communities and entreprenierual ecosystem building. As a cool connection to EP72 of YDNTP, listen as we discuss innovative ideas for member-supported organizations, such as chambers of commerce, non-profits, and industry associations. We review the economic and talent development showcased in the DSM Partnership’s 2024 Annual Report, then go flying with ecosystem allies before an invitation to get in the arena.

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BONUS MATERIALS

Tiffany Tauscheck Bio

Living in Des Moines

Spark DSM + Scale DSM

DSM Partnership’s Entrepreneurship Resources

http://DSM-USA.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

EP5 – Jam with Jay 🎙️ Jay Byers

EP13 – Growing the Garden 🎙️ Diana Wright

http://CollectorHardbackEdition.com

http://RoastedReflections.com

http://BENBOT.ai

By Ben McDougal, ago

Win Win Win

Nicole Crain is the incoming president for the Iowa Association of Business and Industry. She’s been helping to build business throughout Iowa for over 15 years, so it’s neat to have this 2025 podcast be her first interview as the new leader within Iowa ABI. We toast Mike Ralston and his 20+ years of generous leadership, then discuss negotiating, public policy, and advocacy that is valued by members. Nicole wraps up the first part of EP72 by shared timeless insight for students pursuing a business degree.

After Ben narrates Significance, Alessandra and Stella welcome us back by asking our featured guest, what’s worth sacrificing to pursue progress? We then let future-forward ideas flow, scratch on innovative community building tactics, and share how existing business can weave succession planning into their strategy. Congrats to our featured guest on the new role, and here’s to a fantastic 2025!

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BONUS MATERIALS

https://IowaABI.org

Roasted Reflections Break: Significance

http://Win-Win-Win.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

EP32 – Connecting Leaders 🎙️ Jessi McQuerrey

EP40 – Big Business 🎙️ Joe Murphy

EP30 – Exit Ramps 🎙️  Brian Crotty

http://PlayforcePrinciples.com

http://BENBOT.ai

By Ben McDougal, ago

Non-Dilutive

Adrienne Greenwald sits front row to innovation. Venture Net Iowa is a helpful wayfinder and guides entreprenuers toward non-dulituve funding. We chat about how resources are abundant (see below!), but still take time to activate. We also discuss ways to give and receive feedback as founders.

Ben narrates a writing brewed for parents during the break, then we ski down the mountain and chat about the illusion of needing financial capital in order to build. We close by breathing through more building blocks that help us all continue to push progress.

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BONUS MATERIALS

https://VentureNetIowa.com/resources

http://Non-Dilutive.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com

Roasted Reflections Break: Training Wheels

https://BenMcDougal.com/tag/research

https://BenMcDougal.com/resources

http://RoastedReflections.com

http://BENBOT.ai

By Ben McDougal, ago

Game Time

Joe Roth leverages game play to build community. This proverbial camp director ignites camaraderie through The Dealt Hand and connects people through a shared experience. Listen as we talk analog game play, event management, and embracing activities that bring you pleasure. Enjoy your time playing in this real and keep doing hard things.

After Ben narrates Echos from the Roasted Reflections library, Joe jams on leading within the startup community. Specifically, his time as the lead organizer for 1 Million Cups Des Moines. We brew on identifying roles amongst a volunteers, fueling diverse collisions within an audience, tips for presenting at 1MC, and how graduating gracefully adds valuable thickness in an entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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BONUS MATERIALS
https://TheDealtHand.com
http://Game-Time.YouDontNeedThisPodcast.com
http://1MillionCupsDSM.com
https://1millioncups.com/s/communities
Reading Break from Roasted Reflections: Echos
http://BENBOT.ai

By Ben McDougal, ago