Evolution Exchange USA Podcast

In this episode of Founders’ Tales, we sit down with Carlos Ezio Garciamendez, Co-Founder of Criocore, a Boston based biotech startup using bioprinting technology to improve pre clinical drug development.Carlos shares how Criocore is building in vitro tissue models designed to better reflect human biology and reduce reliance on animal testing. The conversation explores Criocore’s academic roots at Harvard Medical School, the shift from research to commercialization, and why founders must constantly answer the question of real world impact.They discuss fundraising realities in biotech, the importance of focusing on commercial value alongside scientific innovation, and how Boston’s competitive ecosystem pushes startups to build technologies that truly matter. Carlos also shares practical advice for first time founders, including total commitment, learning the business fundamentals, and staying focused on pilots, customers, and repeatable growth.

In this episode of Founders’ Tales, Chris Hopkins from Evolution Recruitment speaks with David Brown, Co-Founder and COO of Helix Carbon, a Boston based cleantech startup rethinking how carbon dioxide is utilized at an industrial scale.David shares his journey from Army Apache helicopter pilot to startup founder, and how Helix Carbon is developing technology that converts dilute and contaminated waste gas streams directly into valuable industrial gases. The conversation explores the company’s pivot toward customer driven solutions, the realities of building a hard tech startup, and why constant action is essential for early stage momentum.They also discuss building lean, resilient teams, the strengths of the Boston cleantech ecosystem, and the importance of networking, learning, and doing something even when the path forward is unclear.

In this episode of Founders’ Tales, we speak with Christopher Grillo, co-founder and CEO of Irnerius, Inc, a Boston based edtech startup focused on helping students and families make more informed college and financial aid decisions.Christopher shares the real problem that sparked the idea, shaped by years in higher education and firsthand exposure to the challenges around student debt, limited counseling resources, and complex decision making.He talks through the early days of building the product, how the MVP has evolved through constant iteration, and the lessons he has learned as a first time founder, including hiring carefully, building with intention, and thinking long term from day one.The conversation also touches on the value of the Boston startup community and the importance of staying balanced while navigating the realities of startup life.

In this episode of Founders’ Tales, we sit down with Alesia Razumova, founder of Studypop, a mobile first study platform built specifically for students with ADHD.Alesia shares the personal story behind the business, inspired by her brother’s experience navigating higher education with ADHD and the challenges of burnout, procrastination, and executive function. That experience shaped her mission to build a study system designed around how neurodivergent students actually learn.She discusses how Studypop evolved from an early concept into a full scale platform with goal based learning, auto scheduling, and analytics, as well as the realities of building as a solo founder while self funding and running another business.The conversation also explores Boston’s startup ecosystem, the value of accelerators and founder communities, and the importance of progress over perfection when building something meaningful.

In this episode of Founders’ Tales, Johannes, founder and CEO of Diffraqtion, reveals how his company is transforming space imaging through cutting-edge quantum technology. With their flagship satellite Galileo 1, Diffraqtion is developing one of the world’s first quantum camera satellites. It captures images up to 20 times sharper than current systems while drastically reducing production and launch costs.Johannes discusses his path from early work in artificial intelligence and pharmaceutical data science to becoming a deep tech entrepreneur leading innovation in quantum imaging. He explains how Diffraqtion’s passive super-resolution imaging works without using active light sources, making it ideal for satellite observation and unlocking new levels of detail in space imagery.The conversation explores the realities of building a deep tech startup, including the challenges of translating research into commercial hardware, fundraising in a cautious investment climate, and navigating Boston’s dynamic yet high-cost innovation ecosystem. Johannes also highlights the importance of refining a clear business story, building investor confidence, and aligning technical milestones with a long-term vision.If you’re interested in AI, quantum science, or the future of space technology, this episode offers a rare look at how vision, persistence, and storytelling can turn scientific breakthroughs into real-world impact.

In this episode of Founders’ Tales, we sit down with Mark Stiles, founder and co creator of Joze.ai, to explore an ambitious mission that aims to solve conflict for humanity. After spending three decades as an attorney focused on proactive planning, Mark saw firsthand the emotional, financial, and generational damage caused by unresolved conflict. Those experiences inspired him to leave legal practice and build Joze.ai, an artificial intelligence platform designed to help people resolve disputes in a healthier, more constructive way.Mark walks us through how Joze.ai evolved from an early proof of concept into a conflict resolution platform built with input from mediators, lawyers, therapists, educators, and strategic coaches. He explains how the product supports real human conflict through structured conversations, guided AI interaction, and optional human oversight through what the team calls a success sherpa.The conversation covers Joze.ai’s initial go to market focus on divorce and family conflict, as well as future applications including sibling disputes, inheritance planning, and proactive founder agreements. Mark also shares why preventing conflict before it happens is just as important as resolving it once it exists.Beyond the product, Mark reflects on transitioning from a long legal career into the startup world, building a mission driven team, and finding inspiration through the Boston startup ecosystem. He shares lessons on founder alignment, vulnerability, community support, and staying grounded while navigating the emotional highs and lows of startup life.This episode is a thoughtful and human centered look at how technology can be used not just to optimize systems, but to reduce pain, improve communication, and help people move forward together.