Dear Readers,

I recently had the great pleasure to have discussions with the founders of the 2023 Community Foundation of Louisville’s Vogt awards cohort. Each year, up to six early-stage businesses receive $25,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, participation in a 10-week startup accelerator program – coaching, mentorship, strategic introductions, and recognition – all designed to boost the growth of their business. www.vogtawards.com

I have found the conversations to be fascinating, and each company has a super interesting business model and growth plan. Over the next few months, we will be presenting all of the interviews with these incredible founders.

Today we are bringing you two very talented founders tackling two very different problems.

First, my discussion with Dan Ross-Li, Founder and CEO of Affinna. Dan’s approach to solving the inefficiencies of the ticketing marketplace – a global market expected to exceed $68bn by 2025 – makes great sense. The discussion of his solution and his approach to solving problems in a methodical and insightful manner were things I found particularly interesting. I was also impressed by his approach to hiring tech talent, which has proven to not be an obstacle in Louisville.

Our second guest is Dr. Stevens Bonhomme, the founder and CEO of Feedcoyote, a community for freelancers. Freelancing is a multi-billion dollar, global market with annual CAGAR of 17%. Feedcoyote’s approach is to focus on the freelancer instead of the hiring company. This flip of the paradigm creates tremendous opportunities for freelancers to meet other freelancers, build and join larger project teams, and have access to tools and back office services. While still in its infancy, Feedcoyote has attracted freelancers from over 100 countries and is already receiving positive feedback from its growing community.

Neither Stevens nor Dan are Louisville natives, but both have found Louisville to be a great place to base their businesses. Louisville is lucky to have landed such talented entrepreneurs. I hope you enjoy the interviews.

Tom Cottingham
CEO Fast Future Media

View The Interviews Below:

Affinna Has a Ticket to Ride

Affinna Founder Dan Ross-Li sat down with Tom Cottingham, CEO of Fast Future, to discuss his early-stage business and recent experience with the Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards. Affinna is one of six businesses being featured at the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Demo Day. Demo Day is the culmination of an intensive, 10-week accelerator program designed to help these exceptional entrepreneurs take their early-stage businesses to the next level and beyond.

For more information about the Vogt Awards and this year’s Demo Day, visit www.vogtawards.com.

Feedcoyote is Flipping the Freelance Paradigm

Dr. Stevens Bonhomme, Founder of Feedcoyote, talks with Tom Cottingham, CEO of Fast Future, to discuss his early-stage business and recent experience with the Vogt Invention and Innovation Awards. Feedcoyote is creating tremendous opportunities for freelancers to meet other freelancers, build and join larger project teams, and have access to tools and back office services.

Feedcoyote is one of six businesses to be featured at the Community Foundation of Louisville’s Demo Day on October 12, 2023. Demo Day is the culmination of an intensive, 10-week accelerator program designed to help these exceptional entrepreneurs take their early-stage businesses to the next level and beyond.

For more information about the Vogt Awards and this year’s Demo Day, visit www.vogtawards.com.