CC050: Matt Hunckler of Powderkeg // connecting talent to startups in the Midwest

Interview begins: 6:10 Debrief begins: 45:00 Matt Hunckler is the founder and CEO of Powderkeg. Powderkeg is a platform connecting tech talent in the middle of the country to the Midwest companies they're searching for. Founded in 2017 after emerging from Verge, one of Matt's earlier companies, Powderkeg has more than 10,000 active members, all with the goal of staying connected to startup communities outside of Silicon Valley. An Orr Fellow from Indiana University, Matt has had a hand in a number of startups. He's been passionate about Midwestern startup communities for a while, and in today's interview, he shares his ideas on the current trends happening outside the Valley. We discuss: - Ad: Finding experienced employees for your new business with Integrity Power Search (4:53) - History of Matt and Powderkeg (9:37) - Decision to rebrand Verge to Powderkeg (13:30) - Powderkeg membership (14:56) - Fundraising in the middle of the country (16:14) - Powderkeg approach to connecting companies and talent (20:27) - Talent gaps (23:38) - Current Midwest movement (24:45) - Changing ecosystems through Powderkeg (27:30) - Cross-section of different startup cities (30:56) - Novel approaches to growing startup scenes (36:50) - Why not start your own fund? (40:22) - What's missing from the Midwest (41:47) Learn more about Powderkeg: https://powderkeg.com/ Follow Mike on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hunckler Follow upside on Twitter: https://twitter.com/upsidefm Advertise with an upside classified: https://upside.fm/classifieds -- This episode is sponsored by Integrity Power Search, the #1 full stack high growth startup recruiting firm between the coasts. They partner with venture capitalists, private equity groups and CEOs to build amazing teams for the world’s most disrupting companies. Learn more about or get in touch with Integrity Power Search: https://upside.fm/integrity