Tune in for a conversation with Don Fotsch, Cofounder of BDS AI (Battery Detection Systems), on how Arizona’s tech ecosystem is growing into a hub of innovation and opportunity.From bridging the gap between talent and funding to redefining how values shape hiring and community building, Don explains what it takes to grow a thriving startup culture outside of Silicon Valley. They dig into the challenges of post-pandemic workforce development, why real-world experience is often more valuable than traditional education, and how mentorship and collaboration can fuel the next generation of entrepreneurs. If you’re ready to discover what makes Arizona’s startup scene one to watch, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction02:55 Don's Background and Career Journey05:57 Transition to Arizona and Observations08:52 The Arizona Nerd Network and Its Purpose11:58 Building a Tech Community in Arizona14:57 Future of Tech in Arizona and Closing Thoughts17:27 Embracing Growth Opportunities19:57 The Value of Community and Talent21:57 Building Connections in Tech24:49 The Importance of Education and Context28:05 Understanding Arizona's Unique Position29:59 The Role of Values in Technology31:51 Shifting Perspectives on Industry and Innovation33:59 Learning from Successful Founders36:11 Recruiting Talent with a Personal Touch39:23 Building Connections in Arizona's Startup Ecosystem40:01 Scaling Arizona's Manufacturing and Engineering Potential42:17 Navigating the Challenges of Hiring New Graduates46:51 The Future of Education and Job Readiness50:04 Mastery Learning and Education Productivity51:55 Real-World Experience and Job Readiness52:25 The Importance of Context in Education53:52 Relevance in Education and Skills for the Future54:59 The Role of Universities in Modern Education56:08 Community Involvement and Parental Guidance57:07 Building a Supportive Ecosystem for Founders58:34 The Power of Conversation and Networking59:54 Funding Challenges and Opportunities in Arizona01:01:11 Augmenting the Ecosystem for SuccessReferences in the Show:https://www.fastcompany.com/91290430/zero-to-one-the-fundamentals-of-building-and-growing-a-startup https://siteselection.com/arizona-the-region-redefining-the-future-of-tech/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://batterydetection.com/ Quote of the Show:“The only thing better than hiring the people who have the talent that you need, is hiring people who have the talent that you need, who you already know and are values aligned to. Which is why, like in Silicon Valley, you bump it into people, or Austin, Boston, pick your favorite ones. And a lot of people are hiring people they know.” - Don FotschWays to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpM8myxsUinc5bfLIbjJz?si=0af576adfb8e49f8 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cheat-code/id1692445190 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/cb0b3afa-063f-4f3b-96be-b98214c74912 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CheatCodePodcast 

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