Inside the 750,000-strong Indiana University alumni community is the IU Founders and Funders Network, a world-class startup community with IU "DNA." Each month, hear Hoosier founders and funders share the problems they're solving, advice for aspiring IU innovators, and most importantly, hard-hitting questions like Mother Bear's or Pizza Express? Little 500 or Homecoming? Sample Gates or Showalter Foundation? Hosted by Jon Barada, VP - Engagement at IU Ventures, and presented by nationally ranked Kelley Direct Programs. Go Hoosiers!
Tom Ruff, BS '89 – Founder & CEO, Orange Bike Brewing Company
IU alumnus Tom Ruff is the Founder & CEO of Orange Bike Brewing Company, a Certified B Corporation®, member of 1% for the Planet, and award-winning gluten-free craft brewery in Portland, Maine. Backed by the Maine Venture Fund, the State of Maine, and IU Ventures, Orange Bike has grown into a nationally recognized social enterprise now entering its fourth stage of growth, recently launching the nation's first and only dedicated non-alcoholic, gluten-free craft beer program. Hear about his dad's time as an IU professor, how to start a business with personal ties, how to create strategic partnerships for your business, how to become a B Corp, and what to do when you doubt yourself as an entrepreneur. Learn more about Tom at OrangeBikeBrewing.com and on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomruff), and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Programs. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu
29 Aug 2026
Shayne Veramallay, BS '00 – Founder & CEO, CARBON
IU alumnus Shayne Veramallay is a seasoned executive with a comprehensive background of alternative investments spanning private placements, venture capital, startup operations, and impact investing. His current endeavor, CARBON, focuses on capital solutions for modular infrastructure systems and services encompassing The Vital FEW (Food, Energy, Water) in the commercial, municipal, and residential built environments. Hear about his dad's time as a professor at IU East, how Shayne became interested in the energy space, his thoughts on the future of data centers, the projects he's most excited about, and the Bloomington pizza place he still craves. Learn more about Shayne at Carbon.Holdings and on LinkedIn, and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Programs. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu
31 Jul 2026
Abby Nawrocki, BS '15 – Founder & CEO, Stock
IU alumna Abby Nawrocki is the Founder & CEO of Stock, a marketplace that helps brands and 3PLs seamlessly move excess & returned inventory to vetted nonprofits. With a background leading U.S. distribution for global brands like ZARA, Apple, SKIMS, and Deliverr (acquired by Shopify for $2.3B), she has deep expertise in supply chain & logistics at scale. Hear what blew her away when she first visited IU, what she learned about supply chain during her trip to China, her approach to managing a warehouse right out of college, the importance of networking & relationships in your career, and how she's building her network of nonprofits. Learn more about Abby at StockItBetter.com and on LinkedIn, and learn more about IU Ventures at IUVentures.com. This podcast is presented by Kelley Direct Programs. Learn more at Kelley.IU.edu
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