Agile Giants: Lessons from Corporate Innovators

Episode description:

In the season finale of Agile Giants, we're thrilled to welcome Andrew Giessel, Executive Director of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Moderna.

I first crossed paths with Andrew when Moderna’s AI Academy was launched in collaboration with CMU.  

I can attest to the incredible work he's been doing for years at Moderna.  Andrew was the first member of Moderna’s Data Science team and he has been at the forefront of Data Science and AI at Moderna for years.

His involvement hasn’t stopped with this current Generative AI revolution. He played a crucial role in quickly helping all of Moderna start incorporating it into their workflows through a tool he conceived and launched called mChat.

We talk about all of this and where AI is heading in healthcare in this season finale. 

Show links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giessel/

X: https://twitter.com/giessel

AlphaGo Paper:  https://www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10.1073/pnas.2214840120 

Episode description:

In this podcast episode, we engage in an insightful discussion with Richard Clarke, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Highmark Health.

With an impressive 8-year tenure, Richard offers a unique and seasoned perspective on the evolution of analytics and data science. He and his team have built a remarkable foundation at Highmark, skillfully leveraging it during the recent surge in Generative AI, while simultaneously investing in high ROI projects across the spectrum of data science and analytics projects.

This episode isn’t just pivotal for those at the forefront of healthcare organizations; it's also packed with valuable insights for leaders across a range of industries looking to harness the power of data and analytics in their own businesses.

Show links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-clarke-data-analytics/

Highmark Health website: https://www.highmarkhealth.org/

Episode description:

In this podcast episode, we welcome Karsten Rönner from Bosch's grow platform, who shares his journey and insights into AI and emerging technologies. Discover how Karsten's entrepreneurial background influences his leadership at Bosch, shaping the company's innovative approach in adopting advanced generative AI. 

The episode highlights how AI has revolutionized Bosch startups, showcasing its impact in the competitive tech market. Join us for a fascinating dive into the world of AI-driven innovation at Bosch.

Show links:

Bosch's grow platform website: www.growplatform.com

Aquaeasy: ​​www.aquaeasy.life

Bosch Industrial Additive Manufacturing: www.bosch-industrial-am.com/de

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karsten-rönner-8542a

Episode description:

In this episode of Agile Giants, we are joined by Melissa Murphy, a distinguished service professor at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University. Melissa, a seasoned educator and dynamic force in business education, sits down with us to share her insights on "Pitching Generative AI to the C-Suite." 

Melissa recently presented this canvas at our Corporate Entrepreneurship Forum, focusing on the intricacies of presenting Generative AI concepts to high-level executives. Today, she generously shares this wealth of knowledge with our podcast audience.

Show links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamurphy16/

Email: mmurphy1@andrew.cmu.edu

You can also watch the full workshop session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVdDvLl3jxM

Episode description:

In this episode, we sit down with Santu Karmaker and Dongji Feng, creators of the TELeR Taxonomy. This pivotal framework is revolutionizing the way computer scientists benchmark complex tasks in Large Language Models (LLMs). 

Our conversation goes beyond the academic realm as we explore how the TELeR Taxonomy is not just a theoretical construct but a practical tool. I've personally leveraged this taxonomy to significantly enhance the prompts I'm crafting. Whether you're a researcher, developer, or just LLM-curious, this episode promises to offer valuable perspectives and strategies.

As many of you know, I've frequently referenced the TELeR Taxonomy in past discussions. Now, I'm thrilled to offer you a firsthand account from the creators themselves. Prepare to be enlightened by their journey and vision for the future of LLMs. 

Show links:

Access the TELeR Taxonomy paper here: https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.11430

Episode description:

In this episode, we sit down with Karl Ulrich, CIBC Endowed Professor at the Wharton School, as we dissect his recent research experiment comparing startup ideas from Penn Students from those generated by ChatGPT. We discuss the experiment's goals, key takeaways, and the game-changing speed of AI in idea generation.

Explore the motivation behind this experiment and the collaborative dynamics between AI and humans. Karl highlights the teamwork aspect, envisioning a future where both AI and humans play crucial roles in the ideation process.

Don't miss this exploration of AI's impact on creativity and the evolving landscape of collaboration between machines and humans.

Show links:

X- https://twitter.com/ktulrich

LinkedIn- https://linkedin.com/in/ktulrich/

Website- https://ktulrich.com/

Episode description:

Explore the transformative power of AI as special guest Marshall Kirkpatrick, Editor of AI Time to Impact, unravels creative ways of integrating artificial intelligence into different facets of your professional life.

We discuss Marshall's journey and gain valuable insights into the inspiration that propelled him to initiate his newsletter. 

Don't miss this thought-provoking episode on the Agile Giants Podcast, where innovation meets practicality. Tune in now to discover how AI can be a game-changer and how we can strategically use it to our advantage.

Show links:

X- https://twitter.com/marshallk

LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshallkirkpatrick

Website- https://marshallk.com/

Subscribe to the newsletter- https://aitimetoimpact.com/

Episode description:

Piotr Mirowski, Staff Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and co-creator of Dramatron shares his insights on the future of human-machine co-creativity especially with all the recent developments in Generative AI.  Piotr’s been exploring this space for years and his thought leadership continues to have a profound impact on my thinking.

In this episode, we explore the brilliance behind the language models driving Dramatron and the innovative use of AI in creative writing. Learn more about the system's functionality, and delve into specific examples that shed light on the benefits and challenges of co-creativity with AI. 

Don’t miss out on valuable insights and perspectives in the realm of creative writing and beyond.

Show links:

Dramatron article- https://arxiv.org/abs/2209.14958

Github page- https://github.com/google-deepmind/dramatron

Theater company- https://improbotics.org

X- https://twitter.com/MirowskiPiotr

LinkedIn- https://linkedin.com/in/piotrmirowski

Website- https://piotrmirowski.com/

Episode description:

As we wrap up an incredible season of the podcast, we're going out with a special episode. Join us for a Q&A where we turn the spotlight on YOU, our dedicated audience. 

Your questions have poured in and they fell into three broad categories:

1. Corporate-Startup Collaboration: Given this season's exploration of the corporate-startup collaboration landscape, it's no surprise that many of you were curious about partnerships, their impact, and their role in a company's innovation strategy.

2. Current Trends: Business is changing faster than ever, and there were queries that reflected an interest in my perspective on a few pressing current issues. 

3. Personal Insights: On a more personal note, several of you were curious about my own professional journey and what's on the horizon for "Agile Giants." So we finish with a glimpse behind the curtain.

Show Links: 

• About Blank Street Coffee
  https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/29/dining/blank-street-coffee.html 

• More about AI investment gems
  https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/ai-startup-buzz-is-facing-a-reality-check-e34babfe?st=sj9qkpqhfmoapnr&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

• Listen more about corporate-startup collaborations
  https://agilegiants.seanammirati.com/open-innovation-challenges-duquesne-light-innovation-center/
  
  https://agilegiants.seanammirati.com/priscilla-beal%E2%80%8A-%E2%80%8Aglobal-head-digital-health-ecosystem-engagement-at-bayer/
  
  https://agilegiants.seanammirati.com/paul-nielsen-vp-strategic-programs-at-optum/

Episode description:

In this week's episode, join us as we uncover the dynamics and strategies behind fostering successful collaborations between established corporations and innovative startups in the digital health industry. 

We delve into a real-world example of strategic partnership as we sit down with Joel Krikston, Managing Director at Merck Global Health Innovation Fund and Michael Meucci, CEO at Arcadia. Listen closely as they provide an invaluable roadmap to navigate the intricate terrain of corporate-startup collaboration -- both raising capital and value add beyond that capital. 

Drawing from their 6-year partnership, Joel and Michael shed light on the intricacies of fostering symbiotic relationships between startups and seasoned corporate giants. We explore both parties' shared values, mutual goals, and their unyielding commitment to innovation.

This conversation perfectly encapsulates the theme that has threaded through the current season of Agile Giants. Tune in now and be inspired by their wisdom, experience, and a shared vision for a brighter future in healthcare and beyond.

Show links

LINKEDIN

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-krikston-06013618/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmeucci/

• https://www.linkedin.com/company/arcadia-io/

WEBSITE

• https://www.merckghifund.com/

• https://arcadia.io/

Join us on this week's episode of Agile Giants as we dive into the world of digital health startups and the crucial role of partnerships in driving innovation.

Our guest, Sari Kaganoff, General Manager of Consulting at Rock Health shares her expertise on how enterprises and startups should approach partnerships as part of their overall innovation strategy. Beyond the obvious benefits of resource access, she reveals the hidden advantages that startups can gain through collaboration with enterprises.

Drawing from Rock Health's extensive network, Sari provides real-world examples of companies they work with and the diverse ways they engage with them. These insights shed light on the dynamic nature of corporate-startup partnerships in the digital health industry.

Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of digital health startups and the role of corporate-startup partnerships in driving innovation.

Show links:
LINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/company/rock-health/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarik/

WEBSITE- https://rockhealth.com/

TWITTER- https://twitter.com/KaganoffSari, https://twitter.com/Rock_Health

Episode description:

In this week's episode of Agile Giants, Chris Carde, the CEO and Founder of HeyCharge, joins the show to discuss the importance of corporate-startup collaborations in advancing the EV industry.

As an industry veteran, Chris provides valuable insights into how startup companies should approach partnerships as part of their overall innovation strategy. He also shares his perspective on how to measure the success of a collaboration with a corporation, drawing from his extensive experience leading HeyCharge's partnership efforts with established companies in the automotive and energy sectors.

Tune in for an enlightening conversation on the future of EV charging and the role of corporate-startup partnerships in driving innovation.

Show links
LINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/company/heycharge/

WEBSITE-https://www.heycharge.com/

TWITTER- https://twitter.com/HeyChargeHQ

In this episode, we are joined by David Rogers, a professor at Columbia University, and the author of The Digital Transformation Playbook and The Digital Transformation Roadmap. We dive deep into digital transformation and explore why so many businesses are struggling to adapt.

Drawing on his extensive expertise and research, David shares practical strategies and actionable steps that leaders can implement to empower their organizations to thrive amidst the constant waves of change. Through real-world case studies and insightful analysis, he sheds light on the challenges and opportunities faced by leaders in today's dynamic business environment.

Tune in to this captivating episode to gain a wealth of knowledge and actionable strategies for achieving digital transformation success.

Show links:

• Pre-order “The Digital Transformation Roadmap: Rebuild Your Organization for Continuous Change” here: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Transformation-Roadmap-Organization-Continuous/dp/023119658X/

• LINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrogersdigital

• WEBSITE-https://davidrogers.digital/

• TWITTER- https://twitter.com/david_rogers?lang=en

In this podcast episode, we delve into the history and transformation of PPG, a global maker of coatings, paints, and specialty materials that has been around for over 140 years. We are joined by Ed Rakiewicz, a Corporate Fellow at PPG, as he shares insights and experiences on the importance of corporate-startup collaboration in driving innovation and growth in the industry. He talks about PPG's approach to partnering with startups, the benefits of such collaborations, and the challenges that can arise. Ed also discusses some of the key trends and technologies shaping the industry, and how PPG is leveraging innovation to stay ahead of the curve.

Tune in to learn more about the evolving landscape of coatings and materials, and the role of corporate-startup collaboration in shaping the future of the industry.

Show links
LINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/company/ppg/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-rakiewicz-0597a218/
WEBSITE- https://www.ppg.com/
TWITTER- https://twitter.com/PPG

In this episode, we are joined by Kevin Acklin, President of Business Operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins, to discuss the team's collaboration with startups to solve real problems in sports and business. The conversation touches on the concept of open-source problem-solving and the team's willingness to share their solutions with other companies. They also discuss the social impact of these collaborations and how this helps in their vision of the city of Pittsburgh.

This episode offers valuable insights into the benefits of collaboration and the importance of leveraging existing platforms to drive innovation for sports organizations.

Show links

In this episode, we sit down with Nick Ellis, Principal of the Amazon Climate Pledge Fund, to discuss their approach to investing in startups and how they work with their portfolio companies beyond just providing capital.

Learn about Amazon's approach to open-sourcing their expertise and how collaborations can benefit both the company and the entrepreneur. Don't miss out on valuable insights and actionable advice for entrepreneurs!

Show links

• WEBSITE- https://www.theclimatepledge.com/
• LINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickellis/, https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon/

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Chirag Patel, Leader of EY Foundry, as we explore how this corporate venturing unit is driving transformational growth for one of the world's largest companies.

Discover how EY Foundry identifies new markets and develops new businesses, with a focus on digital ventures that rely less on human capital. In this episode, we also dive into the success story of EYTaxChat, an on-demand mobile tax preparation service, and learn how EY Foundry integrated an external startup into EY's services.

Tune in now to discover the challenges of bringing a startup into a large corporation and the strategies for achieving short-term successes that lay the foundation for long-term innovation.

Show links:

• WEBSITE-  EY Foundry
• LINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chirag-patel-33425/

This season will be a series of interesting conversations about how large companies and startups can partner to deliver transformative innovation together.

In our first episode of the fourth season of Agile Giants, we sit down with Greg Coticchia, CEO of Sopheon. Earlier in Greg’s career, he was a serial entrepreneur and participated as an executive in fourteen start-ups (founding four) including being the co-founder & CEO of eBillingHub.

We will discuss his experience scaling a successful company through innovative partnerships with large players in the industry. We start off with a deep dive into a case study of eBillingHub, where Greg shares insights on how the company rapidly scaled and eventually got acquired by Thomson Reuters. We will also explore the importance of partnerships and innovation in entrepreneurship, and how eBillingHub was able to stand out in a crowded market.

In his current role at Sopheon, Greg advises companies on their innovation approaches. We dive into his perspective as a CEO, discussing the challenges and opportunities in helping businesses innovate and stay ahead of the curve.

Whether you're a startup founder or a corporate innovator, this episode offers valuable insights on how to create meaningful partnerships and drive innovation in your industry. Tune in to learn more!

Show links

• WEBSITE- https://www.sopheon.com/
• LINKEDIN- https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcoticchia/
• TWITTER- https://twitter.com/GregCott

Josh Gould is the Director of Innovation at the Duquesne Light Company. He & his team have kicked off a $750k open innovation challenge around monitoring underground electrical cables. He talks a little bit more about this on the episode. The submissions are due March 15th so we wanted to get this out there, make you aware of it in case it fits any of your startups. I also think for anybody listening to this, it’s really a great perspective around how to do outside in kind of external innovation.

Show Links:

https://www.herox.com/DLCCableChallenge

https://www.herox.com/TreeOfLights

We'll be back later this fall with another full season of Agile Giants, but I wanted to interrupt our break to share a conversation I had with David Schonthal. David is the Clinical Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Business, and the reason I'm interrupting this is he's got a book that came out on October 5th called The Human Element

It looks at how resistance to innovation and change can be overcome using some really interesting techniques. I think there are applications obviously, for introducing new products and services, but there are also a ton of applications around how you just create change in many of your larger established organizations, and really drive towards transformation. 

Get the book here: humanelementbook.com