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122. Embracing Energy Independence: The Journey of Gigawatt
29:01||Season 1, Ep. 122Electricity costs keep rising. The power grid is under pressure. And more homeowners are asking the same question: is there a better way?In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “Fuzzy” Wenzel speaks with Deep Patel, founder of GigaWatt, about how solar power and battery storage are changing the way consumers think about energy.After nearly two decades in the solar industry, Deep explains how centralized utilities, rising grid demand, and data center growth are pushing electricity prices higher. Instead of relying on long-term solar leases filled with hidden finance costs, GigaWatt focuses on a vertically integrated, hardware-first approach that empowers homeowners and prosumers to source certified equipment directly and take control of their own power.In this conversation, we explore: • How the solar industry has evolved since 2006? • Why traditional solar leases often cost more than expected? • The impact of rising utility rates and grid instability. • How battery storage is changing home energy strategy? • Why cutting out middlemen lowers system costs? • The DIY and prosumer movement in solar adoption. • Regulatory challenges utilities create. • Why certification and safety standards matter? • What investors should evaluate before investing in solar companies? • How energy independence fits into long-term economic trends?This episode is ideal for homeowners, solar professionals, investors, and anyone curious about the future of distributed energy and grid alternatives.
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123. Owning the Rails | Silicon Prairie and the Infrastructure Play in Private Markets
33:40||Season 1, Ep. 123Silicon Prairie Holdings is building what management describes as a vertically integrated Capital Technology platform. By combining broker-dealer and transfer agent functions under one umbrella, the company seeks to internalize key layers of private capital formation.In this episode, we examine:• Why private capital markets often operate through fragmented service providers • What changes when a company controls both infrastructure and regulatory licenses • The economic implications of fee stacking and internalization • The complexity of operating in a highly regulated environment • The real risks tied to compliance, scale, and liquidityThis is not a pitch. It is a structural analysis of a business model positioned at the intersection of fintech and securities regulation.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute investment advice or a solicitation to invest. If Silicon Prairie Holdings is conducting an offering under Rule 506(c) of Regulation D, participation is limited to verified accredited investors. Securities offered under Rule 506(c) are unregistered, restricted, illiquid, and involve substantial risk, including the potential loss of the entire investment. Always review official offering materials and consult qualified advisors before making any investment decision.
121. Turning Tree Water Into a Beverage Brand
29:11||Season 1, Ep. 121The beverage aisle is crowded, but every so often a product makes you stop and ask a simple question. Why hasn’t this existed before?In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “fuzzy” Wenzel sits down with Adam N. Lazar, founder of Asarasi Sparkling Tree Water, to explore how tree water became the foundation of a modern, better-for-you beverage brand.Adam shares the origin of Asarasi, why tree water offers a naturally refreshing alternative to traditional sparkling drinks, and how the brand balances health, sustainability, and taste without overcomplicating the product. The conversation also dives into the realities of building a beverage company, from sourcing and formulation to branding, retail strategy, and investor education.In this episode, we discuss:• What tree water is and why it stands out from regular sparkling water?• How consumer demand for clean and functional drinks is evolving?• The challenges of sourcing and scaling a natural ingredient.• Branding and storytelling in a crowded beverage market.• Retail versus direct-to-consumer growth strategies.• Why simplicity can be a competitive advantage?• How community and crowdfunding support early-stage brands?• What investors should understand about beverage margins and growth?This episode is for founders, operators, investors, and anyone curious about how new beverage categories are created and brought to market.
120. How We Could Be Heroes Is Being Built as an Independent Film
13:18||Season 1, Ep. 120Independent films live and die by clarity. Clear tone. Clear audience. Clear plan.In this lightning round episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “fuzzy” Wenzel speaks with Mark Elias, creator of We Could Be Heroes, about how the film is being built from a creative and financial standpoint.Mark walks through the core idea behind the project, why the story leans character-first rather than spectacle, and how elements of hacker culture and gaming language influence the tone without overpowering the narrative. He also explains how the project is structured to be realistic for production, pacing, and budget.The conversation covers:• What the film is actually about and who it’s for?• Why tone and genre discipline matter in indie film?• How the lightning format forces clarity?• The balance between creative ambition and budget reality.• Why community support matters early in filmmaking?• How crowdfunding fits into the project’s strategy?• What investors should understand about indie film risk and expectations?This episode is for filmmakers, creators, and investors who want a grounded look at how independent films are conceived, structured, and funded today.
119. Inside Harmony Baby Nutrition
32:26||Season 1, Ep. 119Harmony Baby Nutrition is developing specialized pediatric nutrition products designed with human milk as a biological reference point. In this episode, we examine how formulation science, clinical expertise, and regulatory standards shape product development in infant and toddler nutrition.The conversation covers why standard formulas fail for some families, how hypoallergenic products are designed, and what challenges arise when translating research into safe, scalable food products. We also discuss manufacturing constraints, regulatory oversight, and competitive dynamics in a market dominated by global incumbents.This episode is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not provide medical, financial, or investment advice. Parents should consult qualified healthcare professionals regarding infant feeding decisions.
118. Why Buying an Iconic Baby Brand Can Beat Starting From Scratch
26:10||Season 1, Ep. 118Starting a brand from zero is hard. Buying one with decades of recognition comes with a very different set of challenges and opportunities.In this episode of Invst Guru, host Jeff “fuzzy” Wenzel sits down with Ryan Fernandez, owner of Bumbo, to unpack the decision to acquire one of the most recognizable baby products in the world and what it really takes to rebuild, protect, and grow a legacy brand.Ryan shares how he evaluated Bumbo’s brand equity, manufacturing, and market position before acquiring the U.S. intellectual property and production rights. The conversation explores why acquisition can be a smarter path than launching something new, especially when trust, distribution, and awareness already exist.In this episode, we cover:• Why acquiring an existing brand can reduce market risk?• What investors should look for when evaluating brand acquisitions?• How manufacturing ownership impacts quality and margins?• The realities of retail distribution and shelf competition.• Rebuilding consumer trust in a well-known product.• The role of packaging, compliance, and safety standards.• How crowdfunding fits into consumer brand ownership?• Lessons learned from scaling consumer products post-acquisition.This episode is ideal for founders, operators, and investors interested in consumer brands, acquisitions, retail strategy, and long-term brand ownership.
117. PopCom and the Software Layer Behind Automated Retail
36:49||Season 1, Ep. 117In this episode, we examine PopCom, a company developing software designed to add analytics and operational insight to vending machines and kiosks.The conversation focuses on the problem PopCom says it addresses in unattended retail, how its software platform is positioned, and why management has shifted away from hardware ownership toward a software-focused model. We also discuss the company’s operating history, competitive environment, and the structure of its Regulation Crowdfunding offering.This episode is for informational purposes only. It does not provide investment advice or a solicitation to invest. Any securities offering discussed is conducted under Regulation Crowdfunding through a registered intermediary. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of capital.Listeners should review the company’s Form C, official offering materials, and risk disclosures on the designated platform before making any investment decision.