What's the Startup?!

About What's the Startup?!

Welcome to “What’s the Startup?!”, the podcast that opens the door to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of startups in Western Kentucky. Whether you’re an aspiring founder with a groundbreaking idea, a go-getter business owner looking to scale, or simply curious about the entrepreneurial landscape, this podcast is for you. Each episode, we sit down with seasoned entrepreneurs, successful founders, and gifted mentors who have navigated the highs and lows of the startup journey. They share their stories, insights, and hard-earned lessons, giving you a front-row seat to the strategies that drive success. But it’s not just about the stories—we’re here to provide you with actionable advice and practical tips that you can apply to your own venture. From overcoming challenges to seizing opportunities, “What’s the Startup?!” is your go-to resource for turning ideas into thriving businesses. Join us as we build a community of innovators, thinkers, and doers in Western Kentucky and beyond. Subscribe now, and get ready to unlock the secrets of startup success!

Publisher

Sprocket

Category

business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

21 Aug 2024

Latest episode

19 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

44 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Nov 2025

   Why a Video-First Marketing Strategy Wins Every Time with Kevin Klepeis of Kentucky Fried Creative

   In this episode of What’s the Startup?!, Kevin Klepeis shares how small businesses can use a video-first marketing strategy to make a big impact without big-agency budgets. After years in corporate marketing, Kevin founded Kentucky Fried Creative in Paducah, KY, to help local small and mid-sized businesses create smart, affordable marketing that works. He explains what a true video-first approach looks like, how to get the most out of one day of filming, and why listening to your customers sh...

2. 

   5 Nov 2025

   Should You Pursue Venture Capital? Startup Funding Advice from Diego Rubio of CORI

   In this episode, we’re sharing a powerful excerpt from one of our most popular mentor-led workshops—an intro to venture capital with Diego Rubio from the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI). Diego unpacks how venture capital really works, what VCs are looking for, and whether this funding path makes sense for your startup. You’ll learn: The structure behind VC funds and why they chase big winsHow equity dilution works across funding stagesWhat signals investors look for in early-stage startupsW...

3. 

   22 Oct 2025

   How to Grow a GOOD Network, Not Just a Large One

   A strong network doesn’t have to be a big one—it just has to be built right. In this episode, Josiah Wright of Optrivo breaks down what actually works when it comes to networking as a founder. Spoiler: it’s not about cold DMs or handing out business cards to strangers. Josiah shares how building real relationships, doing consistently great work, and showing up as a trusted expert can open the door to massive opportunities—without all the gimmicks. From turning a $50 blog gig into a thriving c...

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 50 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

68

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

81

Contact What's the Startup?!

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.